White House unveils task force to fight terrorism propaganda
The Homeland Security and Justice departments are unveiling a new task force to counter violent extremism, the White House announced Friday.
The new force is intended to “integrate and harmonize” anti-terrorism efforts in the U.S., according to White House national security council spokesman Ned Price.
{mosads}As part of the anti-terror push, the State Department will establish a center to focus more intently on “empowering and enabling” those looking to counter terrorist propaganda.
Senior Cabinet-level officials are also meeting with members of the tech industry in Silicon Valley to discuss increased efforts to combat terrorism online.
Officials have long decried the ability of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other groups to use social media for recruitment and coordinating fighters.
The State Department said that the new center will employ a two-part strategy: undermining the messages from militants groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda and offering “positive alternatives.”
The new center will plan “thematic social media campaigns” and provide “factual information that counters disinformation” on behalf of counter-terrorism allies, according to the State Department.
The White House has targeted militant messaging before but struggled to counter efforts from extremist groups that rely on social media for new recruits.
Officials developed the new task force and center in the wake of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., late last year that stoked fears of international terrorism.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
