Mike Benz

In this engaging discussion, Mike Benz, a former State Department official and current executive director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, dives deep into the world of media manipulation and NGOs. He reveals how these organizations often serve as covert tools for influence and statecraft. Benz highlights the evolution of soft power over military force, explains how hedge funds exploit policy for profit, and sheds light on the shadows behind color revolutions. This conversation is a radical eye-opener into who truly controls narratives and democracy.

Mike Benz, an independent researcher focused on influence operations, joins to unravel the complex world of modern censorship and information warfare. He discusses how the censorship-industrial complex formed and the impact of AI and social media on narrative control. Benz explores the role of NGOs in shaping global populist movements and how geopolitical interests drive these interventions. He advocates for radical transparency as a solution to soft power abuse, emphasizing that the ability to influence thought isn't just political—it's a battleground for power itself.

In this discussion, Mike Benz, a former State Department official critical of the Censorship Industrial Complex, unpacks the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act. He highlights how these laws drive AI censorship, impacting free speech in the US and Europe. Benz reveals the role of NGOs and government coordination in stifling cross-border political movements. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's impact on moderation systems and the alarming rise of AI censorship tools that manipulate political discourse.

Mike Benz, a former State Department official and current executive director of the Foundation For Freedom Online, dives into the intriguing world of music diplomacy. He reveals how agencies like USAID covertly fund music movements to influence unrest, illustrating the role of artists such as Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift as instruments of propaganda. Benz connects cultural funding, military strategies, and social media censorship, arguing that pop stars are leveraged for geopolitical purposes. The discussion raises critical questions about information integrity and the impact of celebrity influence on public perception.

In this engaging discussion, guests Charles Cornish-Dale and Mike Benz dive deep into the tactics of communism in America. Cornish-Dale, an author known for tackling street communism, critiques the coordination of street groups like Antifa and BLM by elite interests. Benz, an expert on NGO funding, unpacks the financial networks behind these movements and how online platforms facilitate their operations. Together, they explore the importance of transparency and accountability in facing these challenges.