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Obama Administration Embeds "Government Researchers" To Monitor Media Organizations
Zero Hedge ^ | 20 FEB 2014 | Mike Krieger

Posted on 02/21/2014 2:10:05 AM PST by BCW

Last week, I highlighted the fact that the latest Press Freedom Index showcased a 13 point plunge in America’s press freedom to an embarrassing #46 position in the global ranking. If the authoritarians in the Obama Administration have their way, this country is set to fall much further in next year’s index.

Incredibly, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to roll out something called the Critical Information Needs study, which will embed government “researchers” into media organizations around the nation to make sure they are doing their job properly.

No this isn’t “conspiracy theory.” It is so real, and represents such a threat to the First Amendment, that a current FCC commissioner, Ajit Pai, recently wrote an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal, warning Americans of this scheme.

(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government
KEYWORDS: freepress
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To: Conspiracy Guy

Photo graph the monitors and tape the survey.
Then broadcast the photos names and home addresses of the monitors.


21 posted on 02/21/2014 3:33:12 AM PST by ozdragon
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To: Candor7

And they said we were racists and that is why we didn’t like Obama. Nothing Obama has done and is planning has surprised me in the least. I expected nothing less.


22 posted on 02/21/2014 3:43:53 AM PST by ilovesarah2012
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To: BCW

“The study identified eight “critical needs”: information about emergencies and risks; health and welfare; education; transportation; economic opportunities; the environment; civic information; and political information.

It’s not difficult to see those topics quickly becoming vehicles for political intimidation. In fact, it’s difficult to imagine that they wouldn’t. For example, might the FCC standards that journalists must meet on the environment look something like the Obama administration’s environmental agenda? Might standards on economic opportunity resemble the president’s inequality agenda? The same could hold true for the categories of health and welfare and “civic information” — and pretty much everything else.

“An enterprising regulator could run wild with a lot of these topics,” says Pai. “The implicit message to the newsroom is they need to start covering these eight categories in a certain way or otherwise the FCC will go after them.”

The FCC awarded a contract for the study to a Maryland-based company called Social Solutions International. In April 2013, Social Solutions presented a proposal outlining a process by which contractors hired by the FCC would interview news editors, reporters, executives and other journalists.”

http://washingtonexaminer.com/new-obama-initiative-tramples-first-amendment-protections/article/2544363

Social Solutions International?


23 posted on 02/21/2014 3:47:48 AM PST by ilovesarah2012
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To: ilovesarah2012

“Critical Information Needs study, which will embed government “researchers” into media organizations around the nation to make sure they are doing their job properly.”

I think it’s high time we ‘embed’ citizens, on a revolving basis, into Congressional and Senate Offices, and the White House, to make sure they are doing their jobs properly.


24 posted on 02/21/2014 4:13:13 AM PST by pieceofthepuzzle
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To: BCW

Where are our GOP representatives screaming bloody murder!


25 posted on 02/21/2014 4:14:54 AM PST by jetson
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To: jetson

I would bet that our GOP reps have already been contacted by Obama’s IRS. Thus the silence.


26 posted on 02/21/2014 4:17:22 AM PST by Texas resident
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To: ozdragon

With Media Matters already monitoring everything conservative, is this just a way to hire a bunch of criminals as monitors? Sort of like the Obamacare Navigators.


27 posted on 02/21/2014 4:30:42 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Did the ancients know they were ancients? Or did they see themselves as presents?)
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To: ilovesarah2012
Social Solutions International

Principal Office (Current): 18303 WICKHAM ROAD OLNEY, MD 20832
Resident Agent (Current): SUSANNA NEMES 18303 WICKHAM ROAD OLNEY, MD 20832
Status: INCORPORATED

http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/UCC-Charter/DisplayEntity_b.aspx?EntityID=D10349231&EntityName=SOCIAL+SOLUTIONS+INTERNATIONAL%2c+INC.+++++++++++++++++++++++&TabNum=2

 

Susanna Nemes, PhD, President and CEO, has more than 20 years of experience working to improve the health and well-being of populations with special needs, including youth, older adults, women, and minorities. She has worked with these groups both as clinician and as researcher. Dr. Nemes has served as Principal Investigator (PI) and/or Co-Investigator (Co-PI) on a number projects for federal and foundation funders including NIDA, CDC, NIAAA, NIA, OWH, Air Force, and Robert Wood Johnson. While Dr. Nemes’ primary expertise is related to substance abuse and HIV, she has served as PI or Co-PI for projects related to smoking cessation and prevention, screening of substance abuse and co-morbidity for adults and youth, STD prevention for pregnant women and African American youth, HIV screening, older adult alcohol education and screening, worksite wellness and fitness, online counseling, and parent child communication about sexuality for African American and Latino families. She has also served as PI for an international evaluation of drug treatment and prevention programs in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean funded by the US Department of State Department. Dr. Nemes has published peer-reviewed work related to substance abuse and research methodologies as well as educational materials, curricula, websites, and online courses addressing a range of public health issues. She has successfully completed several outcome studies, tracking homeless and other substance abusers and obtaining very high follow-up rates. Dr. Nemes obtained her B.A. from Harvard and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University. She is bilingual and bicultural, as she was raised in Puerto Rico.

http://www.socialsolutions.biz/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=42

 

Susanna Nemes, Ph.D., President of Social Solutions International, has more than 18 years of experience in substance abuse treatment and prevention with populations that have special needs, including women, LGBT and ethnic minorities. She has worked with these groups both as clinician and as researcher. Currently, Dr. Nemes is principal Investigator (PI) of projects related to Latina womens health and wellness; evaluation of the sexual assault program for the U.S. Air Force; and the intersection between HIV and domestic violence. Prior to this, Dr. Nemes was an associate professor at University of Maryland, where she directed the PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) Mental Health Research Center. Through the PAHO center, she was Co-PI of a study examining violence against Latinas in the U.S. and in 15 Latin American countries. Previously, Dr. Nemes was the vice president of drug and alcohol research at Danya International where she served as PI and Co-PI on several NIH projects related to substance abuse and public health. She served as PI or Co-PI for projects related to smoking, substance abuse and co-morbidity, STD prevention, HIV screening and parent/child communication about sexuality. She has also served as PI for an international evaluation of drug treatment and prevention programs in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Nemes also served as evaluation consultant for a national family drug court initiative. She has published peer-reviewed work related to substance abuse and research methodologies as well as educational materials, websites and online courses. She has successfully completed several outcome studies tracking homeless and other substance abusers and obtaining very high follow-up rates. Dr. Nemes obtained her B.A. from Harvard and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Temple University. She is bilingual and bicultural, as she was raised in Puerto Rico.

Project Description

Off the Streets helps women involved in sex work move toward safety, recovery, empowerment and community reintegration. It blends peer support with existing housing, substance abuse treatment, employment training, primary care and mental health services. This public/private partnership operates at the intersection of the criminal justice system with healthcare, substance abuse treatment and community development.

The proposed evaluation will include both a process and outcome evaluation and will answer the following research questions:

    What are the objectives of the program?;
    Does the program meet its objectives;
    How is the program experienced by its stakeholders?;
    What are the strengths and limitations of the program?;
    How are the clients served by the program?;
    What are the client demographic characteristics?; and,
    What changes can be measured in clients who participate in the program?

The goals of the evaluation are to determine if the services being offered by the Off the Streets program could be improved and to determine which ones are working effectively. In addition, the outcome evaluation will focus on examining the effectiveness of the program. The Off the Streets program logic model is designed to facilitate discussions between key stakeholders and evaluation staff to specify program goals, objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes. Additionally, it is hoped that the final logic model will help clarify the causal assumptions and/or rationale on which the program is based, as well identify gaps in program goals and measurement. Data collection will be conducted through interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders, program staff and clients who participate in the program. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected.

The proposed evaluation will help move forward the RWJF mission of improving the health of and health care for all Americans. The lives of these women are often characterized by abuse of many types, violence by family, partners and others, extreme poverty, substance abuse and related legal problems (for women engaging in sex work) and social and mental health issues -- all areas where their lives could be dramatically improved and are concerns of the RWJF.

http://www.rwjf-newconnections.org/grantees/70

 

etc

28 posted on 02/21/2014 4:34:58 AM PST by Ray76 (How modern liberals think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaE98w1KZ-c)
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To: Ray76

Yeah, I read that, too. What does any of it have to do with the news being reported? They must have some sort of Obama connection or Soros maybe. I wish we had true investigative journalists like we used to. Of course, when I saw LGBT, I wasn’t surprised. Bet that promote abortion, too.


29 posted on 02/21/2014 4:43:53 AM PST by ilovesarah2012
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To: ilovesarah2012

What it’s about

http://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3125381/posts?page=12


30 posted on 02/21/2014 4:47:29 AM PST by Ray76 (How modern liberals think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaE98w1KZ-c)
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To: BCW

I’m somewhat confused as to why Obama feels the need to monitor news outlets......unless the news outlets in question are straying from the official Media Matters bylines.


31 posted on 02/21/2014 4:49:40 AM PST by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: liberalh8ter

They want to make sure that their media doesn’t even think about straying from the official news.


32 posted on 02/21/2014 4:57:27 AM PST by Texas resident
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To: Candor7

I think your assessment is right on the money.


33 posted on 02/21/2014 5:00:41 AM PST by SIDENET
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To: BCW

On yesterday’s Rush show he said (paraphrased closely) “there are no journalists anymore, they’re just DemocRATS that are assigned to work there”.


34 posted on 02/21/2014 5:02:10 AM PST by uncitizen (Impeach the Communist Already!)
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To: BCW
RE :”Participation in the Critical Information Needs study is voluntary—in theory. Unlike the opinion surveys that Americans see on a daily basis and either answer or not, as they wish, the FCC’s queries may be hard for the broadcasters to ignore. They would be out of business without an FCC license, which must be renewed every eight years.”

Sounds more like they are gathering information to use to promote some future initiate or bill.

35 posted on 02/21/2014 5:35:32 AM PST by sickoflibs (Obama : 'Any path to US citizenship for illegals HERE is a special path to it ')
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To: sickoflibs
Sounds more like they are gathering information to use to promote some future initiate or bill.

"Unmet needs" are the Holy Grail of the Beltway.

36 posted on 02/21/2014 5:42:18 AM PST by tacticalogic
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To: pepsionice

I believe you are missing the point.

They don’t care what news is gathered, where it’s gathered, or how it’s gathered.

They want to be able to control what is made available to the public.

They want to be the final editor of the news once it is gathered.


37 posted on 02/21/2014 6:08:27 AM PST by IMR 4350
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To: IMR 4350

No, I got it entirely.

For the FCC to do it your way (as you suggest)....they would have to hire more GS employees, who have governmental power behind them. In this case....the contract that this company suggested (you can find the words to the recommendation that they provided in the spring of 2013)...they are hiring the company to collect data and provide it in a concise package, with details...to the FCC.

Now, I would agree....it is the first step toward some tricky stuff. But contractors of any type....can not act as government agents and walk into a studio, production center, or newspaper. This is why TSA guys are gov’t guys and not contractors....why the FBI doesn’t hire many contractors, and why the military uses them to just do technical work or keep systems running.

This data would be funneled to the FCC, who would then have a meeting. Because two members are Republican in nature...the meeting would be more of a discussion about what the FCC is around for and the future direction. The other three members (democrats)...could have some fear that it’ll change as 2016/2017 rolls around. I’m guessing some dimwit in the White House Administration wants to churn up the heat and they think the FCC can be such a tool.

If you ask me....the idiot at the FCC...is doing this to stall for time, and run the clock out....thus making the WH happy, but accomplishing nothing but spending revenue money.


38 posted on 02/21/2014 6:24:12 AM PST by pepsionice
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To: ozdragon

“Photo graph the monitors and tape the survey.
Then broadcast the photos names and home addresses of the monitors.”

That’s how you do it. Make the little fascist slugs fear for their safety and lives. Now add in some armed muscle with a pro-2nd Amendment, constitutional sheriff in the county to harass every move they make. Finally, get businesses organized to refuse to sell them food, shelter and gasoline.


39 posted on 02/21/2014 6:26:13 AM PST by sergeantdave
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To: ilovesarah2012; BCW; pieceofthepuzzle; Ray76; liberalh8ter; sickoflibs; IMR 4350; Candor7

Federally sponsored radio and TV programs coming soon to cable (Propaganda)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3045854/posts
http://www.examiner.com/article/federally-sponsored-radio-and-tv-programs-coming-soon-to-cable

Last summer there were articles about a repeal of the Smith Mundt Act – added to the NDAA of 2013.
....the enactment of the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012, sponsored by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R- Texas) and Rep. Adam Smith (D- Wash.), which was inserted into the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr5736ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr5736ih.pdf
History
Smith-Mundt Act
http://mountainrunner.us/smith-mundt/#.Ue_pLW0pg1d


40 posted on 02/21/2014 7:25:10 AM PST by Whenifhow
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