A pile of Evening Standard newspapers on a pavement in London. The freesheet is experimenting with home delivery as commuters stay at home. (Reuters)

Declassified UK has revealed that private groups that are directly funded by the UK government and directed by people linked to the UK or US foreign policy establishment have been routinely quoted by British media in an attempt to counter Russians, as well as other disinformation. However, these outlets have regularly failed at mentioning that these groups are government-linked or funded.

Since January 2018, private "counter-disinformation" organizations have received over £25 million from the UK government. Significantly, among the many groups, four have been linked to the UK or US foreign policy establishment.

While publishing information, Declassified UK explained, most UK outlets label these private firms as "independent" or “non-government” sources and have thereby obscured the "financial trail which leads to Whitehall." In doing so, these outlets have misinformed the public of the UK government's role in "shaping coverage of global events" which included the war in Ukraine.

To add salt to injury, the UK government has declined to divulge any information, according to Declassified UK, outlining the full reach of its links to the "counter-disinformation" industry.

One example: DFRLab-funded

The Atlantic Council Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), Declassified UK revealed, has funded one counter-disinformation group. In turn, DFRLab received at least £6.7 million from the Foreign Office since 2018.

Moreover, a number of other "generous funders" have also pitched into the sustainability and growth of that counter-disinformation group, which included the United Arab Emirates, Goldman Sachs, Facebook, and the US Departments of State and Defence, the report highlighted.

With that information being revealed, the DFRLab deceitfully proclaims that its mission has been to “identify, expose, and explain disinformation where and when it occurs using open source research.” To push one's buttons, the DFRLab regularly published research claiming that main adversaries, such as Russia, China, and Iran, have been "engaged in malign information activities worldwide."

Declassified UK identified 25 Guardian and Observer articles making reference to the DFRLab, however, none of them mention any of DFRLab's financial ties to the governments of both, the UK and the US.

Rather, the DFRLab is commonly referred to as a "Washington, DC-based" organization, a "US thinktank," a "US research group," a "non-profit that monitors and combats online disinformation," or an "independent digital forensic research lab."

In February 2022, the Whitehall established the Government Information Cell (GIC) under the pretense that it will serve “to support the UK’s response to Russian disinformation relating to their invasion of Ukraine,” according to the report and claimed that a cross-government team “of professionals in assessment and analysis, counter-disinformation, and strategic communication” which is funded through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Leo Docherty, recently told parliament: “It would not be appropriate to comment on funding levels publicly as to do so would give malign actors insight into our capabilities”.