The Biden government has allocated more than half a million U.S. taxpayer dollars towards MENAACTION Inc., a Virginia-based nonprofit accused of spreading disinformation about the Israel-Hamas war.
The State Department’s grant of $573,000 was initially aimed at protecting media and society from disinformation and educate Jordanian journalists on recognizing “fake news.”
Yet, co-founders Chris Aboukhaled and Mohammed Abu Dalhoum have both been implicated in promoting disputed claims of Israeli military action. This has prompted discussions on the administration’s ability to contain disinformation and its funding for groups allegedly voicing anti-Israel sentiments.
The funding of MENAACTION contributes to a broader initiative tackling widespread disinformation surrounding contested political matters.
Notably, the Department of Homeland Security established the Disinformation Governance Board in the previous year. The board was spearheaded by Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation researcher reportedly linked to spreading unsubstantiated claims about Hunter Biden’s laptop and Trump’s supposed collusion with Russia.
Questions regarding the grants awarded to MENAACTION and transparency in government funding have emerged. Yet, the State Department’s specific details about the grant yet to be clarified.
The Biden government has faced criticism for allocating resources to organizations considered to have a liberal bias or those alleged to have disseminated false information. NewsGuard has similarly come under scrutiny by conservatives for perceived anti-conservative prejudice.
