An Influence Apparatus, Manipulated News Sites, and Scam PACs
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** CfA's December 23, 2022 Newsletter
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With your support, Campaign for Accountability is working to expose corruption and hold the powerful accountable.
** This Week's Updates:
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TTP Report: Tracking an Expanding Influence Apparatus
This week, Campaign for Accountability's Tech Transparency Project (TTP) released a report ([link removed]) that reveals how an obscure government program has allowed former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to place friendly fellows within key federal agencies. At least 24 individuals were connected to the program, which was designed to help agencies bring in short-term experts. These hiring decisions have a real impact on the direction of tech policy around emerging technologies, like AI, in which Schmidt himself is heavily invested. Politico ([link removed]) covered the story on Thursday.
Power Company Manipulates Local News
An NPR investigation ([link removed]) has revealed that an Alabama power company paid a consulting firm to place news stories which attacked its political opponents and smeared clean energy initiatives. Readers didn't know that they were reading biased coverage, some of which simply parroted the power company's talking points and press releases. The loss of independent local news has made it easier for special interests to run these influence campaigns – in Alabama, the political consequences were profound.
FEC Urges Congress to Go After Scam PACs
Surprisingly, not every political action committee actually exists to help a particular candidate (or candidates) get elected. Some, known as "scam PACs," exist primarily to dupe donors and funnel money to the PAC's organizers. One scam PAC operator, who could serve decades in prison, collected over $3 million using misleading robocalls and written solicitations. Now, the Federal Election Commission is calling on Congress ([link removed]) to "address, define, and prohibit" the fraudulent fundraising practices used by these PACs.
** What We're Reading:
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* Tired, Filthy, and Overworked: Inside Amazon’s Holiday Rush ([link removed])
Amazon warehouses have a high rate of turnover – and of injuries. The holiday season is particularly demanding, and workers are expressing concern that their safety and wellbeing have taken a back seat.
* Elon Musk Is Still Silencing the Journalists He Banned From Twitter ([link removed])
After banning a slew of reporters from Twitter last week, Elon Musk publicly agreed to reinstate them. However, some reporters are still locked out of their accounts for refusing to delete specific Tweets about Mastadon, a Twitter alternative which has been gradually gaining steam.
* FDA’s tobacco program must be proactive, not reactive, independent panel says after extensive review ([link removed])
An independent panel has reviewed the FDA's tobacco program and found it lacking. Known as the Center for Tobacco Products, it has faced criticism for being slow to act on e-cigarette products, online tobacco retailers, and youth tobacco use. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf will announce next steps in early February.
** Follow Our Work:
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We thank you for your continued support. Without people like you, our work would not be possible.
Here is how you can stay involved and help us accomplish our mission:
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Be on the lookout for more updates about our work in the upcoming weeks. Thanks again for signing up to be a part of CfA!
Sincerely,
Michelle Kuppersmith
Executive Director, Campaign for Accountability
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