InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts.html https://infoepi.org/images/branding/square_cover.png InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts.html quarto-1.8.26 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT A State-Aligned Media Collective E. Rosalie Li Samantha Kutner https://infoepi.org/posts/2026/01/smc.html

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Overview

The Sovereign Media Collective (SMC) presents itself as a coalition of independent, grassroots outlets representing marginalized communities. Available evidence reveals a more complex picture: former state-media affiliates, narrative alignment with authoritarian governments, and prohibitions on criticism of specific favored countries.

Terminology Note: The Collective added two additional outlets since we began this report. They are not included, but we are aware of them. Additionally, our analysis distinguishes between “member outlets” (the seven formally announced members) and the broader “analytical dataset,” which includes Progressive International and the Sovereign Media website, totaling nine sources for network-level analysis.

Outlet names such as Kawsachun (Quechua), Vox Ummah (“voice of the Muslim community”), and African Stream invoke identity and sovereignty while advancing narratives aligned with autocratic regimes.

  • Five of seven SMC member outlets have documented state media connections through former RT (formerly Russia Today), PressTV, TeleSUR, or CGTN employees or contributors, and/or acknowledged government funding.

  • A former Venezuelan diplomat founded one member outlet; the spouse of a former Venezuelan diplomat runs another.

  • One outlet’s editorial policy explicitly prohibits criticism of Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China.

  • Network figures have traveled to Russia, China, Nicaragua, Syria, and Venezuela for conferences, government inaugurations, and official delegations between 2014 and 2025.

  • According to its own reporting, Black Agenda Report (BAR) was the only U.S.-based outlet invited to China’s Belt and Road Journalists Forum in July 2025.

  • The collective launched two days before African Stream’s shutdown, reconstituting shared infrastructure from Nairobi, where African Stream was also based.

Across the examined outlets, we found five features that were common among these outlets. These features appear in different combinations and degrees, and their presence alone does not imply formal coordination.

  • Coverage tends to be consistently favorable toward governments subject to U.S. or E.U. sanctions, including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. In some cases, this consistency is reinforced by explicit editorial guidance limiting criticism of specific governments, producing predictable defensive framing across stories.

  • A history of financial or institutional relationships recur across the ecosystem. These include publicly disclosed government funding, fiscal sponsorship through intermediary organizations, employment or contributor relationships with state-affiliated media outlets (such as PressTV, RT, and CGTN), and recognition from organizations aligned with sanctioned governments. These relationships may shape editorial incentives and boundaries, even absent direct editorial direction.

  • Participation in state-organized or state-facilitated delegations is another common feature. Such travel—documented to destinations including Moscow, Damascus, Nicaragua, China—provides participants with access to official sources in managed environments that are not typically available through independent reporting. The controlled access allows leaders to shape coverage.

  • Outlets use similar frames and terminology appearing in coverage of international conflicts and domestic unrest. Conflicts are blamed on the United States or NATO (“proxy wars”), while allegations of abuse by authoritarian states is framed as exaggerated, fabricated, or politically motivated.

This convergence is reinforced through shared authorship, republishing arrangements, and overlapping networks.

Figure 1: Top 15 narrative themes by prevalence (full time range)

Some outlets have names that emphasize grassroots, popular, or sovereign perspectives. Such presentation can increase audience trust by signaling proximity to social movements, even where reporting closely parallels official state narratives.

Cross-Platform Histories and the Collective

These six individuals have published with at least one SMC member and demonstrate a systematic pattern of multi-state media engagement that extends beyond occasional guest appearances to sustained professional relationships across state-controlled outlets from Iran, Russia, China, and Venezuela. The significance lies not in any single connection, but in the cumulative pattern of access, employment, and narrative alignment across authoritarian media ecosystems.

When These Outlets Were Backlinked

State media backlinks to these outlets appear episodically rather than continuously, clustering around moments of heightened geopolitical salience rather than being distributed evenly over time. These spikes coincide with periods when international narratives are most contested—such as armed conflicts, diplomatic crises, or moments of political stress in Western countries—indicating that amplification is driven by topical relevance rather than sustained editorial interest in the outlets themselves.

The Nature of the Backlinking

The observed pattern reflects selective, reactive amplification rather than long-term citation behavior. State media do not treat these outlets as standing reference sources; instead, individual articles are surfaced when their framing aligns with an immediate narrative need. This produces short bursts of backlinks separated by long gaps, consistent with content-based opportunism rather than evidence of continuous coordination or formal institutional partnerships.

What the Content Looks Like

Articles that attract state media backlinks are typically English-language, outward-facing, and oriented toward international audiences, often advancing critiques of the United States or allied governments. In this context, backlinks function less as conventional source attribution and more as third-party validation, allowing state media to reinforce preferred narratives through nominally independent voices during key news cycles. In the backlink dataset, this signal is rare (about 0.5% of backlinks under the affiliated.csv-based definition).

How Alignment Happens

The recurring alignment between state media and these outlets appears to be enabled by several structural conditions:

  • Editorial orientation: Certain outlets maintain positions that consistently avoid criticism of sanctioned or aligned governments, producing predictable narrative alignment.

  • Financial and professional dependencies: Government funding, employment relationships with state media, or recognition from pro-regime organizations create incentives that can shape editorial boundaries.

  • Delegation and access dynamics: Participation in organized travel or delegations to sanctioned countries—often under host-government control—provides “eyewitness” credibility while constraining information environments.

  • Narrative convergence: Repeated use of shared frames (e.g., “U.S. proxy wars,” “false flag operations”) produces alignment in terminology and interpretation across otherwise distinct outlets.

This interactive view is designed for exploration (zoom, pan, hover, search). To keep the graph readable and functional, it is restricted to high-connectivity bridge domains.

Figure 2: Interactive domain–source network (filtered to high-connectivity bridge domains)

Examining the Collective

African Stream: An RT Operation According to the State Department

On September 13, 2024, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly stated that African Stream is “secretly run by RT” and “secretly funded by Russia.”1 Within hours, the Kenya-based outlet was deplatformed from YouTube, Meta, and TikTok—losing 460,000 YouTube subscribers, 839,000 Instagram followers, and 99,000 Facebook followers. Nine months later, on June 22, 2025, African Stream announced it would shut down, citing financial collapse following deplatforming.2

The Stanford Internet Observatory’s September 2024 report, “African Stream: Russia’s Latest Covert Influence Pipeline,” documented that CEO Ahmed Kaballo worked for seven years at Iran’s PressTV as a presenter and journalist and served as a “political analyst” for RT. Stanford identified six additional staff members with state media backgrounds:3

  • Chicago-based reporter currently working for CGTN (China) with TRT (Turkey) experience.
  • Washington, DC, reporter with more than two years at RT
  • Kenya-based reporter formerly at CGTN
  • Nigerian reporter who freelanced for RT, TRT, and Radio France Internationale
  • Zambian reporter previously with TeleSUR (Venezuela-funded)

Venezuelanalysis: Husband of Former Venezuelan Diplomat Founded with State Funding

In 2007, founder Gregory Wilpert acknowledged that the site received funding from Venezuela’s Ministry of Culture.4 Wilpert served as Director of TeleSUR English programming from March 2014 to September 2015, directly managing Venezuela’s state media English operations from Quito, Ecuador.5

His wife, Carol Delgado Arria, has held multiple Venezuelan diplomatic posts: Consul General in New York (2008-2014), Ambassador to Ecuador (2014-2018, expelled in diplomatic dispute), and currently Consul General in Funchal, Portugal (2023-present, ambassador rank).6

Orinoco Tribune: Founded by Former Venezuelan Diplomat

Founder Jesús Rodríguez-Espinoza served as Venezuelan Consul General in Chicago for several years before founding the outlet in 2018. He was also part of aporrea.org’s foundational editorial team.7

The outlet’s About page explicitly states editorial policy prohibiting criticism of specific states:

“We will reject all content which replicates smear campaigns, imperialist narratives regarding Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran, Russia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), People’s Republic of China, and many other countries which have not bowed to the U.S. global dictatorship.”8

Rodríguez-Espinoza could also be found on Chinese state media as recently as January 2026.9

Kawsachun News: Union Federation Media with State Media Staff

Kawsachun News emerged “in May 2019 at the height of the struggle against the U.S.-backed coup,” according to its website.10 Major international media described the event as a coup that led to the removal of Morales in 2019, though it did not specify that the United States was to blame.11

Co-founder Camila Escalante was a presenter and anchor at TeleSUR English for several years and has been a PressTV Latin America correspondent since 2021.12 Co-founder Ollie Vargas has contributed to MintPress News, The Grayzone, and red. media, an RT subsidiary that the European Union shut down.13

Black Agenda Report: State Media Appearances and State-Sponsored Events

While BAR has no documented direct state funding, its editors maintain relationships with state media and government-aligned organizations. Executive Editor Margaret Kimberley has been a regular guest on RT’s CrossTalk program and has appeared on CGTN, PressTV, and Al Mayadeen.14

BAR editors have participated in state-sponsored delegations to Russia, Nicaragua, and China between 2014 and 2025. These trips have included a Moscow conference hosted by the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia,15 election observation and inauguration attendance in Nicaragua through the Black Alliance for Peace,16 and multiple visits to China hosted by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE).17 In July 2025, according to BAR, it was the only U.S.-based outlet among 100 media representatives invited to China’s Belt and Road Journalists Forum.18

Qiao Collective: Anonymous Operation Aligned with Beijing

Qiao Collective has not disclosed its governance structure, full membership, or funding sources. When The Nation inquired in 2022, the collective declined to identify any individual members by name or explain how it is governed.19

Despite this opacity, Charles Xu has been publicly identified as a member. At a December 2020 CODEPINK-People’s Forum panel, Xu spoke on behalf of the organization, stating: “I’d like to start by thanking the People’s Forum for organizing this event, and by positioning ourselves as Qiao Collective.”20 Xu is a physics PhD student and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.21

Xu has author pages on Globetrotter Media and People’s Dispatch, both projects of the Tricontinental Institute directed by Vijay Prashad.22 No state media employment has been documented.

The collective consistently promotes Beijing’s positions on Xinjiang, framing international condemnation as Western disinformation.23 On Hong Kong, Qiao has framed the protests as U.S.-backed and linked to NED influence rather than a homegrown democratic movement.24 On Taiwan, Qiao promotes Beijing’s “One China” policy and characterizes cross-strait tensions as U.S. provocation.25

Vox Ummah: Muslim Anti-Imperialist Platform

Vox Ummah is a Muslim and Islamic anti-imperialist media and analysis platform, at least partially founded by James “Fergie” Cox-Chambers Jr. per his public statements.26 Its stated mission is to center “imperialism” as a major global injustice and to provide reporting and commentary aligned with that worldview.

Contributor Shabbir Rizvi writes for PressTV (Iran’s English-language state broadcaster),27 Al Mayadeen (a Lebanese outlet aligned with Hezbollah),28 and Liberation News (the newspaper of the Party for Socialism and Liberation).29

Travel and State Relationships

Documented trips to authoritarian states reveal sustained engagement with governments facing Western sanctions, combining conference appearances, state media interviews, and meetings with officials.

Russia

  • December 2014: The Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGM), led by Alexander Ionov, hosted the conference “Right of Peoples to Self-Determination and Building a Multipolar World” in Moscow. A five-member United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) delegation attended and addressed the conference, with members giving interviews to Russian media and meeting with Palestinian Ambassador Dr. Fa’ed Mustafa at the Palestinian Embassy.30 Oleg Tsarev (Speaker, Parliament of Novorossia) and Alexander Kofman (Foreign Minister, Donetsk People’s Republic) also attended. Margaret Kimberley, with Black Agenda Report, attended the event.

China

Network figures have made delegation visits to China hosted by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), which operates under the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, or Friends of Socialist China, an international socialist coalition that aligns with the Chinese state (republishing content from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example).31

  • November 2023: Danny Haiphong visited Xinjiang with the “China Is Not Our Enemy” delegation, subsequently publishing content disputing genocide allegations.32

  • April 2024: Friends of Socialist China delegation visited Beijing, Zhejiang, and Jilin. Participants included Danny Haiphong, Margaret Kimberley (BAR), and Fiona Sim (Black Liberation Alliance).33

  • May–June 2025: A CNIE-hosted delegation traveled to Xi’an, Yan’an, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, and Shanghai, attending the Fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilisations. Delegates met with Vice President Han Zheng and IDCPC Minister Liu Jianchao.34 Participating organizations included: Friends of Socialist China, Progressive International, Black Alliance for Peace, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Communist Party of Britain, Workers World, and Bronx Anti-War Coalition.

  • July 2025: Margaret Kimberley attended the Belt and Road Journalists Forum in Jiangxi Province; Black Agenda Report stated that is was the only U.S.-based outlet among 100 invited media representatives.35

Nicaragua

  • November 2021: Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) sent election observers, including Margaret Kimberley. Camila Escalante (Kawsachun News) also attended.36

  • January 2022: Margaret Kimberley of Black Agenda Report attended Daniel Ortega’s inauguration.37

  • July 2022: Members of a delegation affiliated with Black Agenda Report and the Alliance for Global Justice attended events in Nicaragua marking the July 17–19 anniversaries of the Sandinista Revolution, including public celebrations and speeches by President Daniel Ortega.38

  • July 2023: Ahmed Kaballo (African Stream, PressTV) produced a documentary countering “Western” media coverage of the Sandinista government.39

Syria

  • September 2019: The Syrian government hosted the 3rd International Trade Union Forum on Breaking Economic Sanctions. U.S. attendees included Max Blumenthal and Anya Parampil (The Grayzone), Ajamu Baraka (Black Alliance for Peace), Rania Khalek (Redfish and BreakThrough Media), and members of the Syria Solidarity Movement.40

Venezuela

  • February 2025: A coalition including Friends of Socialist China, Orinoco Tribune, Kawsachun News, and the International Manifesto Group organized a delegation for Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration.41

State Media

State Media Employment and Regular Appearances

Several figures within the Sovereign Media Collective maintain ongoing professional relationships with state-controlled media outlets from Russia, China, and Iran. These relationships range from formal employment to regular contributor status and recurring guest appearances.

Documented employment relationships establish direct institutional ties:

  • Camila Escalante has served as PressTV’s Latin America correspondent since 2021, while also producing content for Kawsachun News.42
  • Ahmed Kaballo worked at PressTV for seven years prior to founding African Stream and has been described as a political analyst for RT.43

Several figures appear repeatedly across state media platforms in varying capacities:

  • Margaret Kimberley appears on RT programming (including CrossTalk) and has appeared on CGTN and Al Mayadeen.44
  • Danny Haiphong has authored commentary for CGTN and Beijing Review and has circulated remarks described as delivered to a UN Security Council session in August 2023.45
  • Jesús Rodríguez-Espinoza appeared on CGTN as recently as January 2026.46

Shared Infrastructure

The Sovereign Media Collective was publicly announced via Progressive International (PI), which published the initial statement on June 20, 2025, ahead of the collective’s operational launch on October 1, 2025.47 Before the SMC announcement, PI listed Qiao Collective and Black Agenda Report as media partners, indicating pre-existing relationships.48

The collective operates from Nairobi as a shared services hub providing training, strategic media support, content production, and pre-packaged “strategic messaging kits” to member outlets.49 This is the same location out of which African Stream operated.50 This centralized infrastructure enables resource pooling and continuity following platform enforcement or deplatforming actions. Individuals associated with the network have also received recognition from pro-Assad organizations, further situating the collective’s operational ecosystem within authoritarian-aligned political networks.51

Examples of Aligned Content

The relationships documented above (employment histories, funding, delegation travel, and shared infrastructure) are reflected in editorial output. Across outlets, documented abuses are frequently framed as “Western propaganda” while state narratives are presented as authentic grassroots perspectives.

China: Systematic Defense of Beijing’s Positions

  • Xinjiang: Qiao Collective systematically disputes Uyghur genocide allegations and frames criticism of Beijing’s policies as imperialist slander and U.S.-led propaganda, directing readers to its “Attacks on Xinjiang” reference hub and related materials.52

  • Hong Kong: Qiao Collective portrays the 2019-2020 pro-democracy movement as U.S.-backed—linking it to National Endowment for Democracy (NED) influence and framing it as serving U.S. imperialist interests rather than a homegrown democratic movement.53

  • Taiwan: Qiao promotes Beijing’s “One China” policy and characterizes Taiwan’s democratic institutions as illegitimate, treating cross-strait tensions as the result of U.S. provocation rather than Chinese military threats and diplomatic coercion.54

Russia/Ukraine: Dismissing Invasion and War Crimes

  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Black Agenda Report has characterized Russia’s 2022 invasion as a “U.S. proxy war,” echoing Kremlin talking points that NATO expansion justified military intervention.55 Coverage minimizes documented war crimes, civilian targeting, and evidence of systematic atrocities in occupied territories.56

  • MH17 False Flag Claims: Ajamu Baraka called the 2014 MH17 shootdown—which killed 298 civilians and was attributed by the Joint Investigation Team to Russian-backed separatists—a “false flag” operation.57

  • Novorossiya Support: Network figures have participated in Moscow conferences supporting “Novorossiya” (New Russia), an irredentist concept used to justify Russian territorial claims in eastern Ukraine.58

Syria: Casting Doubt on Assad’s War Crimes

  • Damascus Forum Participation: In September 2019, Ajamu Baraka traveled to Damascus for the 3rd International Trade Union Forum in Solidarity with Workers and People to Break the Economic Sanctions, an event hosted by the Syrian government.59 Baraka attended the same event as Max Blumenthal and Rania Khalek, both of whom have denied or minimized evidence of Assad’s use of chemical weapons, barrel bombs, and systematic torture.60

  • Awards from Pro-Assad Organizations: Both Baraka and Gregory Wilpert (Venezuelanalysis founder) have received awards from pro-Assad organizations.61 Baraka has been described by Syrian opposition activists as “an apologist for Assad’s genocidal regime” for dismissing evidence of war crimes.62

  • Dismissing Chemical Weapons Evidence: Network coverage frequently frames documented chemical weapons attacks as “false flags” or “unproven allegations,” despite extensive verification by the OPCW and UN.63

Iran: Defending the Islamic Republic

  • PressTV Connections: Multiple network figures have extensive employment histories with PressTV, Iran’s state-controlled English-language network. Ahmed Kaballo worked at PressTV as a presenter/journalist, while Camila Escalante has served as PressTV’s Latin America correspondent since 2021.64

Nicaragua: Legitimizing Authoritarian Consolidation

  • Election Observation: Black Alliance for Peace sent delegates to observe Nicaragua’s 2021 elections.65 The Organization of American States adopted a resolution criticizing the elections and urging further action.66

  • Inauguration Attendance: The 2022 inauguration delegation met with officials from multiple sanctioned regimes.67

Footnotes

  1. Blinken, Antony J. “Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press.” U.S. Department of State, September 13, 2024. web.archive.org/web/20250301001801/https://2021-2025.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-remarks-to-the-press-29/↩︎

  2. Empire Watch. “Ahmed Kaballo: Africa Stream Challenged Power, Amplified Africa. Empire Shut It Down.” YouTube, October 9, 2025. youtube.com/watch?v=wnbbdW0sjTQ↩︎

  3. Grossman, Shelby, and David Thiel. “African Stream: Russia’s Latest Covert Influence Pipeline Targeting Africa.” Stanford Cyber Policy Center, September 17, 2024. cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/news/african-stream

    PressTV. (2024, September 22). Prospect for new Africa with Ahmed Kaballo [Image]. PressTV; PressTV. presstv.ir/Detail/2024/09/22/733728/Prospect-for-a-New-Africa-with-Ahmed-Kaballo↩︎

  4. Nelson, B. (2011, July 7). Response to the Venezuelan Government’s Attacks on The Silence and the Scorpion. Brian Nelson - Author. brianandrewnelson.com/RebuttalWilpertReview.html

    Rohter, L. (2010, June 26). Oliver Stone’s Latin America. The New York Times. nytimes.com/2010/06/26/movies/26stone.html↩︎

  5. Torres, Jeanfreddy Gutiérrez. “Portals of Lies: The International Swarm of ‘Independent Media’ at the Service of Chavista Narratives.” ProBox, March 24, 2023. proboxve.org/en/2023/03/24/portales-de-la-mentira-como-es-el-enjambre-internacional-de-medios-independientes-al-servicio-de-las-narrativas-chavistas-2/↩︎

  6. Nelson, B. (2011, July 7). Response to the Venezuelan Government’s Attacks on The Silence and the Scorpion. Brian Nelson - Author. brianandrewnelson.com/RebuttalWilpertReview.html↩︎

  7. Rodríguez-Espinoza, Jesús et al. “About Us.” Orinoco Tribune. orinocotribune.com/about-us-draft/↩︎

  8. Rodríguez-Espinoza, Jesús et al. “About Us.” Orinoco Tribune. orinocotribune.com/about-us-draft/↩︎

  9. CGTN (Director). (2026). Venezuelan journalist recounts how the attacks unfolded in Caracas [Broadcast]. In CGTN. news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-03/Venezuelan-journalist-recounts-how-the-attacks-unfolded-in-Caracas-1JDpuORJ4mQ/p.html↩︎

  10. About. (2019). Kawsachun News. kawsachunnews.com/about-us↩︎

  11. Bjork-James, C. (2024). Tactics of Political Violence in the 2019 Bolivian Crisis: Return of the Catastrophic Stalemate? Bolivian Studies Journal, 188–226. doi.org/10.5195/bsj.2024.320

    Bolivian army chief urges Morales to step down. (2019, November 10). BBC News. bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50369591

    Bolivia’s Evo Morales flees “coup” for exile in Mexico and leaves chaos in his wake today. (2019, November 12). CBS News. cbsnews.com/news/bolivia-evo-morales-flees-coup-exile-mexico-leaves-chaos-in-his-wake-today-2019-11-12/

    Fain, E., Issaev, L., & Korotayev, A. (2024). Coupvolution as a Mechanism of Regime Change in the Sahel. In J. Besenyő, L. Issaev, & A. Korotayev (Eds.), Terrorism and Political Contention: New Perspectives on North Africa and the Sahel Region (pp. 133–150). Springer Nature Switzerland. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53429-4_7↩︎

  12. PressTV. Camila Escalante. PressTV. Retrieved from presstv.ir/aboutus/details/102↩︎

  13. Vargas, Ollie. The Funambulist Network profile. April 29, 2020. thefunambulist.net/network/ollie-vargas

    MintPress News. (2025, July 10). Latin America Rising, with Ollie Vargas [Video recording]. youtube.com/watch?v=Ki5H9xtO7PU

    Parampil, A., & Norton, B. (2020, October 22). How Bolivia fights fascism – It takes more than the ballot box—The Grayzone. thegrayzone.com/2020/10/21/bolivia-fascism-coup-election/

    Vargas, O. Oliver Vargas, Author at red. Media. Red. Media. Retrieved from thered.stream/author/olvvags/

    Vargas, O. Ollie Vargas Archives. Peoples Dispatch. Retrieved from peoplesdispatch.org/tag/ollie-vargas/↩︎

  14. Al Mayadeen English [MayadeenEnglish]. (2025, February 5). In an interview for AlMayadeen, Margaret Kimberley, Executive Editor and Senior Columnist at Black Agenda Report, described USAID as a dual-purpose agency; providing aid while acting as an arm of U.S. intelligence to serve its geopolitical interests. Citing Syria as a prime t.co/WMkF5nrOWA [Tweet]. Twitter. x.com/MayadeenEnglish/status/1887060306473504789

    Kimberley, M. (2022, August 15). Racism in the U.S. [Patreon]. Patreon. patreon.com/posts/racism-in-u-s-70551391

    Kimberley, M. (2018, April 14). Margaret Kimberley on Presstv [Youtube]. web.archive.org/web/20190422001905/youtube.com/watch?v=LxlcLYAr1wc. youtube.com/watch?v=LxlcLYAr1wc

    On Contact: The Black Agenda. (2021. RT International. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from rt.com/shows/on-contact/542630-ajamu-baraka-radical-black-press/

    Progressive International. (2025, June 27). Report: Delegation to China, May-June 2025 [Blog]. Report from the CNIE Delegation to Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, and Shanghai in China.; Progressive International. progressive.international/movement/article/2025-06-27-report-delegation-to-china-may-june-2025/en/↩︎

  15. Dores, Bill. “Moscow Conference Stands with Novorossiya, Palestine and Black America.” Workers World, January 2015. workers.org/2015/01/17910/↩︎

  16. Black Alliance For Peace. “BAP Remarks at Nicaragua Electoral Companion Press Conference.” November 12, 2021. blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/2021/11/12/remarks-at-electoral-companion-press-conference

    Kimberly, Margaret. “Nicaragua in the Multipolar World.” Black Agenda Report, January 12, 2022. blackagendareport.com/nicaragua-multipolar-world↩︎

  17. Friends of Socialist China. “Report: Delegation to China, May-June 2025.” July 9, 2025. socialistchina.org/2025/07/09/report-delegation-to-china-may-june-2025/↩︎

  18. Kimberly, Margaret. “Black Agenda Report At the Belt and Road Journalism Forum in China.” Black Agenda Report, July 23, 2025. blackagendareport.com/black-agenda-report-belt-and-road-journalism-forum-china↩︎

  19. Klion, David. “What Should the Left Do About China?” The Nation, January 2022. thenation.com/article/world/china-left-foreign-policy/↩︎

  20. CODEPINK. “CODEPINK Co-Founder Jodie Evans Speaks with Charles Xu from @qiaocollective and @NoColdWar…” X (formerly Twitter), May 2025. x.com/codepink/status/1927507784062435407

    Xiao, Sheila; Evans, Jodie; Sperling, Erik; Chow, Tobita; Xu, Charles; Hurley, Molly. “Teach-In: U.S. Aggression on China: What Can We Do.” The People’s Forum, December 2020. peoplesforum.org/events/teach-in-us-aggression-on-china-what-can-we-do/↩︎

  21. Cal Tech. “Cal Tech Educational Profiles” (Charles Xu, Graduate Student, Preskill Group). IQIM, 2016. iqim.caltech.edu/profile/charles-xu/↩︎

  22. Xu, Charles. Author pages.

    Peoples Dispatch: peoplesdispatch.org/author/charles-xu/

    Globetrotter Media: globetrotter.media/author/charles-xu/↩︎

  23. Hioe, Brian. “The Qiao Collective and Left Diasporic Chinese Nationalism.” New Bloom Magazine, June 22, 2020. newbloommag.net/2020/06/22/qiao-collective-nationalism/↩︎

  24. Qiao Collective. Hong Kong framing statements.

    Qiao Collective (@qiaocollective). “We must resist the Western left’s attempts…” X (formerly Twitter), May 2020. x.com/qiaocollective/status/1266404928056168449

    QiaoCollective. “Behind the Molotovs and protest art…” Facebook Reel, 2025. facebook.com/reel/1601113461264532↩︎

  25. Qiao Collective. “Taiwan: An Anti-Imperialist Resource.” 2024. qiaocollective.com/education/taiwan↩︎

  26. Vox Ummah. “About.” voxummah.com/about/

    Fergie Chambers[@jccfergie]. (2025, March 28). Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem I’m really proud to have played a small part in creating this exciting project: @VoxUmmah a new online media platform dedicated to promoting a message of Muslim Anti-Imperialism, launching today! Please follow and share! [Tweet]. Twitter. x.com/jccfergie/status/1905637357895774266↩︎

  27. Rizvi, Shabbir. “Policy of Erasure: UN Marks ‘Genocide Prevention Day’ by Unmarking Gaza and Sudan.” PressTV, December 10, 2025. presstv.ir/Detail/2025/12/10/760391/policy-erasure-un-marks-genocide-prevention-day-unmarking-gaza-sudan↩︎

  28. Al Mayadeen English. “Shabbir Rizvi” author profile. english.almayadeen.net/authors/shabbir-rizvi↩︎

  29. Rizvi, Shabbir. “Guantánamo Bay: 21 Years of Crimes Against Humanity.” Liberation News, February 6, 2023. liberationnews.org/guantanamo-bay-21-years-of-crimes-against-humanity/↩︎

  30. Dores, Bill. “Moscow Conference Stands with Novorossiya, Palestine and Black America.” Workers World, January 2015. workers.org/2015/01/17910/

    Lombardo, J. Report on UNAC’s trip to Russia. NEPAJAC, 2015. nepajac.org/rusrpt1.html

    Iosbaker, J. “U.S. anti-war activists in Moscow, meet with Palestinian ambassador to Russia.” Fight Back! News, 2014. fightbacknews.org/articles/us-anti-war-activists-moscow-meet-palestinian-ambassador-russia↩︎

  31. Martinez, C. (2024, May 6). Delegates from Britain, Ireland and the US learn about the past, present and future of Socialist China [Blog]. Friends of Socialist China. https://socialistchina.org/2024/05/06/delegates-from-britain-ireland-and-the-us-learn-about-the-past-present-and-future-of-socialist-china/

    Friends of Socialist China. (2025, July 9). Report: Delegation to China, May-June 2025 [Blog]. Friends of Socialist China. https://socialistchina.org/2025/07/09/report-delegation-to-china-may-june-2025/

    Friends of Socialist China. (2025, September 9). BRICS countries seek common stand on ‘tariff wars.’ Friends of Socialist China. https://socialistchina.org/2025/09/09/brics-countries-seek-common-stand-on-tariff-wars/

    Delegations Archives. (2025, October 24). Friends of Socialist China. https://socialistchina.org/category/delegations/↩︎

  32. Haiphong, Danny. “I Witnessed Xinjiang.” Friends of Socialist China, November 2023.↩︎

  33. Martinez, C. “Delegates from Britain, Ireland and the U.S. learn about the past, present and future of Socialist China.” Friends of Socialist China, 2024. socialistchina.org/2024/05/06/delegates-from-britain-ireland-and-the-us-learn-about-the-past-present-and-future-of-socialist-china/

    Friends of Socialist China. China Proves That a New World Is Possible! Delegates Report Back from China, 2024.↩︎

  34. Friends of Socialist China. “Delegates from Britain and the U.S. build friendship with China.” June 2025. socialistchina.org/2025/06/11/delegates-from-britain-and-the-us-build-friendship-with-china/

    Progressive International. “Report: Delegation to China, May-June 2025.” June 2025. progressive.international/movement/article/2025-06-27-report-delegation-to-china-may-june-2025/en/↩︎

  35. Kimberley, Margaret. “Black Agenda Report At the Belt and Road Journalism Forum in China.” Black Agenda Report, July 23, 2025. blackagendareport.com/black-agenda-report-belt-and-road-journalism-forum-china↩︎

  36. Black Alliance For Peace. “BAP Remarks at Nicaragua Electoral Companion Press Conference.” November 12, 2021. blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/2021/11/12/remarks-at-electoral-companion-press-conference↩︎

  37. Kimberley, Margaret. “Nicaragua in the Multipolar World.” Black Agenda Report, January 12, 2022. blackagendareport.com/nicaragua-multipolar-world

    President Ortega’s reelection shows, Nicaraguan people see a bright future. (2022, January 19). Workers World. workers.org/2022/01/61228/↩︎

  38. Kimberley, M. (2022). NicaNotes: Celebrating Revolution in Nicaragua [Tumblr]. Alliance for Global Justice. afgj.org/nicanotes-07-28-2022↩︎

  39. Kaballo, Ahmed. Nicaragua documentary, July 2023.↩︎

  40. Admin. (2019, September 8). 3rd International Trade Union Forum kicks off in solidarity with Syrian people and workers. Syrian Arab News Agency. https://archive.sana.sy/en/?p=172926

    Harris, R. D. (2019). On the Road to Damascus: International Conference in Syria on Sanctions and Its Blowback. https://www.transcend.org/tms/2019/09/on-the-road-to-damascus-international-conference-in-syria-on-sanctions-and-its-blowback/

    Lucas, S. (2019, September). A Syrian Refugee: The Western “Tourists” Whitewashing the Assad Regime and My Country. https://eaworldview.com/2019/09/a-syrian-refugee-the-western-tourists-whitewashing-the-assad-regime-and-my-country/

    Johnson, Max. “Tyranny’s Mouthpiece.” Quillette, October 26, 2019. quillette.com/2019/10/26/tyrannys-mouthpiece/

    Khalek, Rania. “Syria chemical attacks: Smoke and mirrors, truth and lies.” June 24, 2018. raniakhalek.com/4835-2/↩︎

  41. International Manifesto Group. “Maduro’s Inauguration in 2025.” January 21, 2025. internationalmanifesto.org/defending-the-bolivarian-revolution-delegates-report-back-from-venezuela/↩︎

  42. PressTV. Camila Escalante. PressTV. Retrieved from presstv.ir/aboutus/details/102↩︎

  43. Grossman, Shelby, and David Thiel. “African Stream: Russia’s Latest Covert Influence Pipeline Targeting Africa.” Stanford Cyber Policy Center, September 17, 2024. cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/news/african-stream↩︎

  44. Al Mayadeen English. Margaret Kimberley appearances. english.almayadeen.net/

    RT. CrossTalk episode page (example). Rumble, 2024. rumble.com/v5j4oft-crosstalk-october-surprise.html

    CGTN. “Academics and activists join forces to prevent ‘new Cold War’” (Margaret Kimberley). newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-07-26/Academics-and-activists-join-forces-to-prevent-new-Cold-War–SqolkmNkT6/index.html

    Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish). (2025, February 5). In an interview for #AlMayadeen, Margaret Kimberley, Executive Editor and Senior Columnist at Black Agenda Report, described USAID as a dual-purpose agency; providing aid while acting as an arm of U.S. intelligence to serve its geopolitical interests. Citing Syria as a prime t.co/WMkF5nrOWA [Tweet]. Twitter. x.com/MayadeenEnglish/status/1887060306473504789

    Friends of Socialist China. (2022, March 26). Margaret Kimberley: Countries struggling against U.S. domination are inevitably turning to China. Friends of Socialist China. socialistchina.org/2022/03/26/margaret-kimberley-countries-struggling-against-us-domination-are-inevitably-turning-to-china/

    Friends of Socialist China. (2022, March 26). Margaret Kimberley: Countries struggling against U.S. domination are inevitably turning to China. Friends of Socialist China. socialistchina.org/2022/03/26/margaret-kimberley-countries-struggling-against-us-domination-are-inevitably-turning-to-china/

    Kimberly, M. (2025, December 12). Press Conference Challenging Trump’s Venezuela No Fly Zone [Blog]. Black Agenda Report. blackagendareport.com/press-conference-challenging-trumps-venezuela-no-fly-zone↩︎

  45. CGTN. Danny Haiphong author pages / commentary examples:

    news.cgtn.com/news/2023-05-31/U-S-attempts-to-curb-China-s-development-inevitable-path-to-failure-1kg43njKwIU/index.html

    Beijing Review. Danny Haiphong commentary examples:

    beijingreview.com.cn/Opinion/Voice/202501/t20250123_800390884.html

    No Cold War. “Danny Haiphong: My speech at the UN Security Council” (Aug 2023). newcoldwar.org/danny-haiphong-my-speech-at-the-un-security-council/↩︎

  46. CGTN. “Venezuelan journalist recounts how the attacks unfolded in Caracas.” January 2026. news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-03/Venezuelan-journalist-recounts-how-the-attacks-unfolded-in-Caracas-1JDpuORJ4mQ/p.html↩︎

  47. Sovereign Media Collective. (2025, June 20). Their Aim Is Silence—Ours Is Truth [Blog]. Progressive International. progressive.international/wire/2025-06-20-their-aim-is-silence–ours-is-truth/en/

    Sovereign Media Collective. (2025, October 1). Sovereign Media on Instagram: “ANTI-IMPERIALIST COALITION SOVEREIGN MEDIA LAUNCHES TODAY Today, We Launch Sovereign Media, an Anti-Imperialist Coalition Bringing Together Voices from the Global South and the Global North Who Refuse to Bow to Censorship or Empire. From Black Agenda Report, Qiao Collective, Kawsachun News, Orinoco Tribune, Venezuelanalysis, Naam, and Vox Ummah, We Are United in One Mission: To Tell the Stories the Mainstream Buries and to Give a Platform to the Struggles of the Oppressed — from Africa to the Americas, Asia to Europe and Beyond. Sovereign Media Is Not Just a Media Project. It Is a Grassroots Effort Born from Progressive Movements, Fighting for Truth, Dignity, and Sovereignty. #AntiImperialism #SovereignMedia #IndependentMedia #GlobalSouthVoices” [Post]. Instagram. instagram.com/sovereign_media_/reel/DPRjt6lCn7i/↩︎

  48. Black Agenda Report. (2025). Progressive International. https://progressive.international/members/878f4baf-0c09-41b2-ac05-008c3c480b1c-black-agenda-report/en/

    Qiao Collective. (2025). Progressive International. https://progressive.international/members/fd819446-abaf-4259-9faf-cdecd68109e7-qiao-collective/en/

    This is world war in slow motion. (2025). Progressive International. https://progressive.international/wire/2025-10-30-this-is-world-war-in-slow-motion/en/↩︎

  49. Sovereign Media Collective. “About Us.” October 1, 2025. sovereignmedia.online/about-us↩︎

  50. Grossman, S., & Thiel, D. (2024, September 17). African Stream: Russia’s Latest Covert Influence Pipeline Targeting Africa [Blog]. Stanford Cyber Policy Center. cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/news/african-stream

    Timothy Osoro. (2025, June 22). Nairobi-Based Media Outlet Announces Its Closure After ‘Censorship’ by U.S.. Kenya Times. thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/nairobi-based-media-outlet-announces-its-closure-after-alleged-censorship-by-us/↩︎

  51. Davis, C. (2019, September 30). Pro-Assad Lobby Group Rewards Bloggers On Both The Left And The Right. Bellingcat. bellingcat.com/news/2019/09/30/pro-assad-lobby-group-rewards-bloggers-on-both-the-left-and-the-right/

    Serena Shim Award. serenashimaward.org

    Serena Shim Award. (2020). BAR Editors Receive Serena Shim Award. Black Agenda Report. blackagendareport.com/bar-editors-receive-serena-shim-award

    Testa, R. G., Jessica. (2013, October 2). The Inside Story Of One Website’s Defense Of Assad. BuzzFeed News. buzzfeednews.com/article/rosiegray/the-inside-story-of-one-websites-defense-of-assad

    Serena Shim Award. (2020). BAR Editors Receive Serena Shim Award. Black Agenda Report. blackagendareport.com/bar-editors-receive-serena-shim-award↩︎

  52. Qiao Collective. “Attacks on Xinjiang.” qiaocollective.com/attacks-on-xinjiang

    Qiao Collective (@qiaocollective). “Check out our Xinjiang report, now updated with separate pages for reference! We have provided reference pages for attacks on Xinjiang, the debate on Xinjiang at the UN, and the response of the people of Xinjiang to imperialist slander.” X (formerly Twitter), April 2021. x.com/qiaocollective/status/1378078830519279617

    Qiao Collective (@qiaocollective). “There’s no doubt U.S. propaganda about Xinjiang, HK, “whistleblowers,” would disappear tomorrow if China removed caps to Western financial ownership… U.S. weaponizes “human rights” to enforce economic vassaldom.” X (formerly Twitter), April 2021. x.com/qiaocollective/status/1385286909568552960↩︎

  53. Qiao Collective. Hong Kong framing statements.

    Qiao Collective (@qiaocollective). “The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions was created by the NED in the 1990s…” X (formerly Twitter), September 2021. x.com/qiaocollective/status/1439780489733234690

    Qiao Collective (@qiaocollective). “We must resist the Western left’s attempts to rebrand the Hong Kong protests…” X (formerly Twitter), May 2020. x.com/qiaocollective/status/1266404928056168449

    Qiao Collective (@qiaocollective). “Just a reminder… the only reason the HK protests are so well-resourced is because they are backed by… and have received $29 million from the U.S.” X (formerly Twitter), June 2020. x.com/qiaocollective/status/1267520980651577345

    QiaoCollective. “Behind the Molotovs and protest art…” Facebook Reel, 2025. facebook.com/reel/1601113461264532↩︎

  54. Qiao Collective. “Taiwan: An Anti-Imperialist Resource.” 2024. qiaocollective.com/education/taiwan↩︎

  55. Kimberly, Margaret. “Ukraine Terrorism and the Question of U.S. Involvement.” Black Agenda Report, June 4, 2025. blackagendareport.com/ukraine-terrorism-and-question-us-involvement↩︎

  56. Examples of content minimizing Russian war crimes:

    Baraka, Ajamu. “Ukraine: A New Consensus on Whiteness?” Black Agenda Report, April 20, 2022. blackagendareport.com/ukraine-new-consensus-whiteness

    Friends of Socialist China. “Margaret Kimberley: Countries struggling against U.S. domination are inevitably turning to China.” March 26, 2022. socialistchina.org/2022/03/26/margaret-kimberley-countries-struggling-against-us-domination-are-inevitably-turning-to-china/

    Kimberley, Margaret. “Freedom Rider: The Causes of World War III.” Black Agenda Report, July 30, 2014. blackagendareport.com/content/freedom-rider-causes-world-war-iii

    Luqman, Jaqueline. “Who Will Hold the U.S./E.U./NATO Accountable For Its Many War Crimes?” Black Agenda Report, April 13, 2022. blackagendareport.com/who-will-hold-useunato-accountable-its-many-war-crimes↩︎

  57. Resnick, Gideon. “The Green Veep’s False-Flag Flirtations.” The Daily Beast, August 17, 2016. thedailybeast.com/the-wild-beliefs-of-ajamu-baraka-jill-steins-green-party-running-mate↩︎

  58. Dores, Bill. “Moscow Conference Stands with Novorossiya, Palestine and Black America.” Workers World, January 2015. workers.org/2015/01/17910/↩︎

  59. Harris, R. D. (2019). On the Road to Damascus: International Conference in Syria on Sanctions and Its Blowback. TRANSCEND Media Service. transcend.org/tms/2019/09/on-the-road-to-damascus-international-conference-in-syria-on-sanctions-and-its-blowback/

    Lucas, Scott. “A Syrian Refugee: The Western ‘Tourists’ Whitewashing the Assad Regime and My Country.” EA WorldView, September 17, 2019. eaworldview.com/2019/09/a-syrian-refugee-the-western-tourists-whitewashing-the-assad-regime-and-my-country/↩︎

  60. Johnson, Max. “Tyranny’s Mouthpiece.” Quillette, October 26, 2019. quillette.com/2019/10/26/tyrannys-mouthpiece/

    Khalek, Rania. “Syria chemical attacks: Smoke and mirrors, truth and lies.” June 24, 2018. raniakhalek.com/4835-2/↩︎

  61. Davis, C. (2019, September 30). Pro-Assad Lobby Group Rewards Bloggers On Both The Left And The Right. Bellingcat. bellingcat.com/news/2019/09/30/pro-assad-lobby-group-rewards-bloggers-on-both-the-left-and-the-right/

    Serena Shim Award. serenashimaward.org

    Serena Shim Award. (2020). BAR Editors Receive Serena Shim Award. Black Agenda Report. blackagendareport.com/bar-editors-receive-serena-shim-award

    Testa, R. G., Jessica. (2013, October 2). The Inside Story Of One Website’s Defense Of Assad. BuzzFeed News. buzzfeednews.com/article/rosiegray/the-inside-story-of-one-websites-defense-of-assad↩︎

  62. Baraka, Ajamu. “The Syrian Elections.” CounterPunch, June 4, 2014. counterpunch.org/2014/06/04/the-syrian-elections/

    League for the Revolutionary Party. “Ajamu Baraka, Apologist for Assad’s Genocidal Regime in Syria, at Left Forum.” June 7, 2018. http://lrp-cofi.org/statements/syria_activists_leftforum.html

    Kimberley, Margaret. “War Propaganda and the Fall of Syria.” Black Agenda Report, 2024. blackagendareport.com/war-propaganda-and-fall-syria↩︎

  63. Selected investigations on chemical weapons evidence:

    Damascus, M. R. R. reported from, scientists, S. S. interviewed former chemical weapons, & Experts, N. “Inspectors Say More Than 100 Chemical Weapons Sites Could Remain in Syria.” The New York Times, April 6, 2025. nytimes.com/2025/04/06/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-weapons-assad.html

    Facini, A. “10 Years of the Syria Chemical Weapons Challenge.” The Council on Strategic Risks, October 4, 2023. councilonstrategicrisks.org/2023/10/04/the-past-10-years-of-the-syria-chemical-weapons-challenge/

    Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi). “Nowhere to Hide. The Specter of Chemical Weapons Use in Syria.” 2021. chemicalweapons.gppi.net/

    Rodriguez-Llanes, J. M.; Guha-Sapir, D.; Schlüter, B.-S.; Hicks, M. H.-R. “Epidemiological Findings of Major Chemical Attacks in the Syrian War Are Consistent with Civilian Targeting: A Short Report.” Conflict and Health 12, 16 (2018). doi.org/10.1186/s13031-018-0150-4

    United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Nine Years Since Ghouta: Chemical Weapons in Syria.” August 22, 2022. ushmm.org/genocide-prevention/blog/nine-years-since-ghouta-chemical-weapons-in-syria↩︎

  64. Grossman, Shelby, and David Thiel. “African Stream: Russia’s Latest Covert Influence Pipeline Targeting Africa.” Stanford Cyber Policy Center, September 17, 2024. cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/news/african-stream

    PressTV. (2024, September 22). Prospect for new Africa with Ahmed Kaballo [Image]. PressTV; PressTV. presstv.ir/Detail/2024/09/22/733728/Prospect-for-a-New-Africa-with-Ahmed-Kaballo

    PressTV. Camila Escalante. PressTV. Retrieved from presstv.ir/aboutus/details/102↩︎

  65. Black Alliance For Peace. “BAP Remarks at Nicaragua Electoral Companion Press Conference.” November 12, 2021. blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/2021/11/12/remarks-at-electoral-companion-press-conference↩︎

  66. Organization of American States (OAS) reactions to Nicaragua 2021 elections:

    Reuters. “OAS members condemn Nicaragua elections, urge action.” November 13, 2021. reuters.com/world/americas/oas-members-condemn-nicaragua-elections-urge-action-2021-11-13/

    OAS (@OAS_official). “We reject the results of the illegitimate elections in #Nicaragua…” X (formerly Twitter), November 2021. x.com/OAS_official/status/1458059374077911051↩︎

  67. Kimberly, Margaret. “Nicaragua in the Multipolar World.” Black Agenda Report, January 12, 2022. blackagendareport.com/nicaragua-multipolar-world↩︎

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{li2026,
  author = {Li, E. Rosalie and Kutner, Samantha},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {A {State-Aligned} {Media} {Collective}},
  date = {2026-01-26},
  url = {https://smc.infoepi.org},
  doi = {10.7910/DVN/4XTXLC},
  langid = {en},
  abstract = {The Sovereign Media Collective is an expanding Kenya-based
    group of outlets—*African Stream, Black Agenda Report, Kawsachun
    News, Orinoco Tribune, Venezuelanalysis, Qiao Collective,* and *Vox
    Ummah*—that share a broadly anti-imperialist ideology and align with
    the position of countries hostile to democratic governments. The
    groups’ formation was announced on *Progressive International*’s
    website on June 20, 2025, two days before *African Stream* announced
    it would shut down by July 1, 2025; the collective formally began
    operations in October 2025. This report examines professional
    histories, state media affiliations, government relationships, and
    travel to authoritarian states. We find a recurring pattern in which
    journalists with prior employment or affiliation with state media
    organizations—including RT (formerly Russia Today), PressTV,
    TeleSUR, and CGTN—subsequently produce content through outlets
    presented as independent. This pattern is consistent with prior
    research findings, including a {[}2023
    analysis{]}(https://infoepi.org/posts/2023/10/4-balkans) documenting
    Russian state media employees and affiliates publishing under
    ostensibly independent bylines, obscuring institutional origins.}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Li, E. Rosalie, and Samantha Kutner. 2026. “A State-Aligned Media Collective,” January. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/4XTXLC.
]]> state media information epidemiology data FIMI https://infoepi.org/posts/2026/01/smc.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT Record Numbers of Younger Women Want to Leave the U.S. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-attitudes-women-looking-abroad.html Younger American women are now more likely to imagine their futures outside the U.S. than any group Gallup has ever tracked. Their desire to leave has surged in tandem with collapsing confidence in national institutions and rising political polarization—setting them apart both from older Americans and from younger women in other advanced economies.

A Dramatic Shift Among Younger Women

  • In 2025, 40% of women aged 15–44 say they would move abroad permanently, quadruple the 10% who said so in 2014.
  • Their desire to migrate began rising sharply around 2016, continued through both the Trump and Biden administrations, and remains near historic highs.
  • This has produced a 21-point gender gap between younger women (40%) and younger men (19%), the largest Gallup has ever recorded in any country.

A U.S.-Specific Trend

  • Younger women in other OECD countries show no similar increase; their migration desire has stayed steady at 20–30%.
  • Younger U.S. men remain less likely than their OECD peers to want to migrate.

Political Attitudes Matter

  • A 25-point gap now separates Americans who approve vs. disapprove of national leadership in their desire to leave—an unprecedented politicization.
  • Younger women lean strongly Democratic (59%), helping explain their much higher inclination to consider leaving.

Marriage and Children Are No Longer Barriers

  • Younger women’s migration desire is high regardless of life circumstances:

    • 41% of married younger women want to move.
    • 45% of single younger women want to move.
    • Women with children (40%) and without children (44%) show similar levels.

Institutional Confidence Has Collapsed

  • Younger women have experienced the steepest drop in trust in national institutions of any demographic.
  • Their National Institutions Index score fell 17 points since 2015.
  • Confidence in the judiciary dropped from 55% → 32%, the biggest decline of any group.
  • While the Dobbs ruling likely accelerated this decline, the desire to migrate predates it.
]]> Data Information Epidemiology Demographics https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-attitudes-women-looking-abroad.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT HHS Tracker Update Notes InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-hhs-tracker-update.html The timeline update adds a series of events documenting federal actions and developments in U.S. health policy from late September through mid-November 2025. The new entries outline statements from federal officials, regulatory decisions, agency directives, and workforce changes involving the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, and the FDA.

Key additions include remarks from the President and the HHS Secretary regarding autism and medication safety; several reviews or revisions of vaccine-related policies; polling data on public views of HHS leadership; and actions affecting access to abortion and reproductive-health medications.

The update also includes reporting on the cancellation of federal mRNA research contracts, FDA approvals and enforcement actions, and rulings from federal courts regarding agency conduct. Additional entries describe layoffs at the CDC, congressional responses to those layoffs, and demonstrations by health workers. Several November updates also note new federal programs, international policy initiatives, and leadership changes within the FDA.

New Timeline Entries

September

  • Sept 21, 2025 — Experts preempt expected HHS announcement regarding autism and Tylenol.
  • Sept 22, 2025 — President issues warning to pregnant women regarding Tylenol and autism.
  • Sept 24, 2025 — Quinnipiac poll released on public approval of HHS Secretary Kennedy.
  • Sept 24, 2025 — RFK Jr. launches FDA review of abortion pill.
  • Sept 24, 2025 — Reporting on cancellation of HHS mRNA research contracts; continued DoD funding.
  • Sept 24, 2025 — FDA approval of leucovorin for autism.
  • Sept 26, 2025 — Administration considers adding autism-related claims to VICP.
  • Sept 30, 2025 — ACIP removal of MMRV from childhood vaccine schedule.

October

  • Oct 4, 2025 — Former CDC official characterizes leadership changes under RFK Jr.
  • Oct 6, 2025 — CDC adopts individual-based COVID vaccination; adds standalone varicella shot.
  • Oct 12, 2025 — HHS layoffs affecting CDC workers.
  • Oct 27, 2025 — House Committee letter regarding HHS layoffs.
  • Oct 28, 2025 — FDA withholds drug names tied to contaminated manufacturing sites.
  • Oct 30, 2025 — Federal ruling on FDA mifepristone restrictions.
  • Oct 31, 2025 — FDA restricts fluoride supplements for children.
  • Oct 31, 2025 — FDA action announced against unapproved fluoride drug products.

November

  • Nov 2, 2025 — FDA drug-center head resigns amid federal investigation.
  • Nov 3, 2025 — RFK Jr. calls for global removal of thiomersal from vaccines.
  • Nov 5, 2025 — HHS directs Medicaid immigration-status reviews by states.
  • Nov 5, 2025 — All states apply for Rural Health Transformation Program.
  • Nov 6, 2025 — Public health worker march calling for RFK Jr.’s removal.
  • Nov 6, 2025 — Launch of GENEROUS Medicaid drug-payment model.
  • Nov 7, 2025 — CDC scrutiny of childhood vaccine schedule noted.
  • Nov 10, 2025 — FDA removes menopause hormone-therapy black-box warnings (except endometrial).
  • Nov 11, 2025 — Richard Pazdur appointed CDER director.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {HHS {Tracker} {Update} {Notes}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-11-16},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-hhs-tracker-update.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “HHS Tracker Update Notes.” InfoEpi Lab, November. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-hhs-tracker-update.html.
]]> Public Health Health Security HHS Tracker https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-hhs-tracker-update.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT Simple Tools for Simple Problems https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/12-tools.html We’re publishing six new tools today that we’ve been using in our research workflows. They’re all browser-based, so you don’t need to install anything. They’re also in beta, which means they might have bugs, but they work for what we need them for.

The tools cover data conversion, text formatting, and list comparison. Here’s what’s available:

CSV ↔︎ JSON Converter - Converts between CSV and JSON formats. Handles complex CSV files with nested data and properly escapes special characters. We built this because we kept running into CSV files that didn’t convert cleanly to JSON, especially when they had nested structures or special characters.

JSON Formatter - Formats, minifies, validates, and beautifies JSON. It has syntax highlighting and will tell you if your JSON is broken. Useful when you’re working with API responses or trying to debug JSON files.

JSONL to CSV Converter - Converts JSONL (JSON Lines) files to CSV. This one’s particularly useful if you’re working with LLM outputs or log files that come in JSONL format.

List Compare - Compares multiple lists with interactive Venn diagrams. You can see what’s overlapping between lists and click on regions to see the actual items. We use this a lot when comparing datasets or checking for duplicates across different sources.

Text Normalizer - Cleans up text by removing extra whitespace, normalizing line breaks, and handling special characters. Handy when you’re working with messy text data from different sources.

Text Case Converter - Converts text between different case formats - uppercase, lowercase, title case, sentence case, and a few others. Simple but useful when you need to standardize text formatting.

All of these tools are available on the InfoEpi Tools page. They’re free to use and run entirely in your browser. If you run into issues or have suggestions, you can report them on GitHub.

These tools grew out of problems we kept hitting in our work. If they’re useful to you too, great. If not, that’s fine - they’re here if you need them.

]]> Tools Information Epidemiology https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/12-tools.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT How Conspiracy Theories Break Families InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/10/how-conspiracy-theories-break-families.html Key Findings: Differences in media diet and conspiracy beliefs can erode a couple’s shared reality by drawing one partner into alternative media ecosystems and conspiratorial communities, leaving the other unable to connect on basic facts. Attempts to correct these beliefs often fail because conspiracies are deeply intertwined with identity, trust, and a sense of belonging.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {How {Conspiracy} {Theories} {Break} {Families}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-10-01},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/10/how-conspiracy-theories-break-families.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “How Conspiracy Theories Break Families.” InfoEpi Lab, October. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/10/how-conspiracy-theories-break-families.html.
]]> Conspiracy Beliefs cyberharms Families https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/10/how-conspiracy-theories-break-families.html Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT Social Bot Research Is Broken — But Not Hopeless InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/social-bot-research.html Key Findings: A comprehensive analysis reveals that research on social media bots suffers from widespread methodological flaws and misconceptions, undermining scientific credibility in a field crucial for understanding online manipulation.

Why it matters: As AI-powered bots become more sophisticated and social media platforms restrict data access, flawed research methods could leave society vulnerable to manipulation while eroding trust in legitimate scientific findings.

  • Model drift — Detectors trained on known bot characteristics fail when applied to new, unknown bots

  • Unfair evaluation — Researchers cherry-pick favorable comparisons and use inconsistent definitions

  • Data biases — Datasets contain outdated or biased samples that don’t reflect current bot populations

  • Straw-man arguments — Critics oversimplify the field, ignoring advances beyond basic supervised learning

Misconceptions debunked

  1. Bot detection is a solved problem (it’s not — it’s an ongoing arms race)
  2. Bot detection can be easily improved (adversarial nature makes this extremely difficult)
  3. All social bots are similar (vast diversity exists across bot types)
  4. Any detector can catch all bots (specialized tools needed for different threats)
  5. Bots are the main driver of disinformation (many other factors involved)
  6. All bot research is useless (has led to successful platform removals and policy changes)

Why It May Not Get Better: Platform API restrictions since 2023 have severely limited researchers’ access to fresh data, while bot operators continue operating with minimal restrictions. Despite significant flaws, social bot research has produced valuable insights and real-world impact. The field needs more rigorous methods and responsible reporting — not abandonment.

Source

Cresci, S., Yang, K.-C., Spognardi, A., Di Pietro, R., Menczer, F., & Petrocchi, M. (2025). Demystifying misconceptions in social bots research. Social Science Computer Review, 0(08944393251376707), 08944393251376707.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {Social {Bot} {Research} {Is} {Broken} — {But} {Not}
    {Hopeless}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-09-23},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/social-bot-research.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “Social Bot Research Is Broken — But Not Hopeless.” InfoEpi Lab, September. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/social-bot-research.html.
]]> AI FIMI Information Epidemiology https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/social-bot-research.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT HHS Tracker Update Notes InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/22-hhs-tracker-update.html

Timeline Additions

September 3 – September 20, 2025

  • September 3, 2025 – Florida announces plans to eliminate all childhood vaccine mandates.

  • September 3, 2025 – 24 national medical, scientific, and public health organizations call for Secretary Kennedy’s resignation.

  • September 5, 2025 – Kerry Kennedy and Joseph P. Kennedy III call for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign from HHS.

  • September 11, 2025 – Vinay Prasad regains his role as FDA Chief Medical Officer.

  • September 12, 2025 – CDC awards contract to RPI to study vaccines and autism despite lack of evidence of a connection.

  • September 13, 2025 – Moderna shares drop 7.4% after reports FDA may tie COVID-19 vaccines to child deaths.

  • September 18, 2025 – Secretary Kennedy accelerates U.S. vaccine policy changes, restricting eligibility and expanding exemptions.

  • September 18, 2025 – RFK Jr.–appointed panel advises against MMRV combo vaccine for children under age 4.

  • September 20, 2025 – U.S. vaccine advisers abandon broad COVID shot support, shifting to shared decision-making with providers.

You can see the updated tracker here: HHS Tracker.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {HHS {Tracker} {Update} {Notes}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-09-22},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/22-hhs-tracker-update.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “HHS Tracker Update Notes .” InfoEpi Lab, September. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/22-hhs-tracker-update.html.
]]> Censorship Public Health Health Security HHS Tracker https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/22-hhs-tracker-update.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT HHS Tracker Update Notes InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/01-hhs-tracker-update.html

Timeline Additions

Coverage: August 14 – September 1, 2025

  • August 14, 2025 – Judge orders HHS to stop sharing Medicaid data with deportation officials.

  • August 15, 2025 – HHS revives childhood vaccine safety task force.

  • August 18, 2025 – HHS halts 22 mRNA vaccine development projects.

  • August 24, 2025 – RFK Jr. cancels promising cancer vaccine research.

  • August 25, 2025 – CDC appoints anti-vaccine activist Retsef Levi to lead COVID workgroup.

  • August 25, 2025 – ACOG and AAP diverge from CDC on COVID-19 vaccine guidance.

  • August 25, 2025 – Texas officials report CDC unresponsive during measles outbreak.

  • August 27, 2025 – RFK Jr. claims he can “see” mitochondrial challenges in children’s faces; experts refute.

  • August 28, 2025 – RFK Jr. suggests SSRIs explain school shootings.

  • August 28, 2025 – RFK Jr. falsely claims CDC lists abortion as a top ten medical advance.

  • August 29, 2025 – CDC reports kindergarten vaccine exemptions rise, coverage drops to 92% (DTaP) and 93% (MMR).

  • September 1, 2025 – FDA official Vinay Prasad demands removal of YouTube videos in which he criticized vaccines. YouTube deleted the entire channel citing copyright infringement.

You can see the updated tracker here: HHS Tracker.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {HHS {Tracker} {Update} {Notes}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-09-01},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/01-hhs-tracker-update.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “HHS Tracker Update Notes.” InfoEpi Lab, September. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/01-hhs-tracker-update.html.
]]> Censorship Public Health Health Security HHS Tracker https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/09/01-hhs-tracker-update.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT Communication Tools Updated InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/08/10-release-notes-tools.html See Communication Tools.

  • Structure: Reorganized into tiers — Recommended for Privacy, Better Privacy, Good Privacy, Privacy Caution, Defunct/Offline. Alphabetized within each tier.

  • Jurisdiction flags: Added country flags for ownership/legal home across entries.

    • Examples added/updated: Signal 🇺🇸, Element 🇬🇧, Threema 🇨🇭, Wire 🇨🇭, Viber 🇯🇵, Telegram 🇷🇺, Slack/Teams/Zoom/Meet 🇺🇸, Zoho Cliq 🇮🇳, AnyDesk 🇩🇪, BeamYourScreen 🇩🇪, FaceFlow 🇨🇦, Fleep 🇪🇪, LumoFlow 🇫🇮, Mobilimeet 🇸🇪, Digital Samba 🇪🇸.

  • Additions (Recommended for Privacy): Briar 🌐, Session 🇨🇭, Tox 🌐.

  • Telegram 🇷🇺: Entry clarified — default “cloud” chats not E2EE; proprietary MTProto; phone‑number requirement; metadata/IP logging; Russian jurisdiction exposure.

  • WhatsApp 🇺🇸: Kept out of higher tiers; note retained — E2EE by default, Meta ownership, metadata/backups exposure.

  • MeWe 🇺🇸: Moved to Privacy Caution; language updated to “proprietary; ad/tracking‑free claim not independently verified.”

  • Defunct/Offline: Confirmed list (Campfire, iLinc, iWowWe, ooVoo, Simple Signal, Encrypted Cloud).

Books and Reading

  • Organization: Grouped by purpose; alphabetized within groups.

  • Additions: Libby, Libro.fm, Scribd, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo Books, Audible, Wattpad, Bookly, Basmo, Story Shorts, Media365, AIReader, Aldiko Next, Epic!.

  • Defunct/retired: Marked Lendle and Feedbooks (shutdown noted), plus Shelfari, BookArmy, ReadItSwapIt in the defunct section.

  • Cleanup: Removed duplicates; standardized one‑line descriptions.

Data Analytics Tools

  • Additions: Metabase, Preset (Managed Superset), Redash, Rill, Sigma, ThoughtSpot (incl. Mode), Streamlit (incl. Snowflake native), Plotly Dash, Panel (HoloViz), Observable Framework, OpenSearch Dashboards, MotherDuck, dbt Semantic Layer, Cube (semantic layer), Noteable, NocoDB, Posit (RStudio IDE/Shiny/Quarto).

  • Corrections: “Google Data Studio” → “Looker Studio”; removed duplicate entries.

Archives

  • Hygiene: Standardized descriptions; confirmed CLI/SDK/self‑host options (e.g., wayback tools) are labeled consistently.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {Communication {Tools} {Updated}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-08-10},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/08/10-release-notes-tools.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “Communication Tools Updated.” InfoEpi Lab, August. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/08/10-release-notes-tools.html.
]]> Tools Version https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/08/10-release-notes-tools.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT HHS Under RFK Jr.: Centralization, Corruption, and Censorship InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/04/decline-of-hhs-rfk-jr-censorship-subversion.html

  • Sources for this timeline are publicly available and include reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Axios, Reuters, AP News, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Kaiser Family Foundation News (KFF) and Stat News. All stories have multiple sources, even if they are not listed in the vignette.

  • The only exception was the March 25th story. Since then, HHS has commented on that story. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has confirmed the hiring of an individual with a documented history of opposing vaccines but denies that he is overseeing any autism-related research or databases.

  • Instead, the HHS Secretary claimed this individual was the only person capable of determining whether records have been deleted from a specific database—an assertion for which no clear justification has been provided. Kennedy has also disputed the individual’s prior misconduct allegations.

WarningPlease Note

The report section of this page reflects events from January through April 2025. Additional reports will be linked here.

Between February and April 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initiated a series of actions that have fundamentally altered federal public health governance. This timeline documents the erosion of institutional integrity, the consolidation of power, and a pattern of censorship and disinformation that has permeated core public health functions.

Drawing on open-source reporting, the entries below trace how longstanding public health systems have been dismantled or co-opted. InfoEpi Lab previously raised concerns about the national security implications of Kennedy’s leadership. His initial months in office have only substantiated those concerns. The agenda released by executive order foreshadowed many of these developments.

The documented actions fall into three main categories:

  • Centralization of Power: Elimination of oversight mechanisms, removal of experts, and concentration of decision-making authority within the Office of the Secretary.

  • Corruption of Science: Misrepresenting agency procedures and ethics, appointing and elevating unqualified and unethical figures, exploitation of tragedy, endorsement of unproven or dangerous treatments, and rejection of established evidence.

  • Censorship and Information Control: Dismantling transparency by making public comment optional, shutting down the FOIA response office, retraction of public data, suppression of forecasts, and reframing of health discourse to reflect ideological narratives.

Each entry below includes source links, official documents when relevant, and archived materials to preserve the public record.

Timeline

WarningChange Log Notes

2024

November

“We have a film division at Children’s Health Defense. We produced two films. One of them is Vaxxed II, which was, you know, a huge success. And then Plandemic, which we financed, which is now — by some metrics — the most successful documentary in history.”

Source, Source

2025

February

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a series of vague or elusive answers to written questions from senators probing his vaccine views, refusing to walk back several previous controversial positions.

Source

Cassidy, recounting conversations with Kennedy over the weekend and in the hours leading up to Tuesday’s vote, said he got a slew of commitments.

“He and I would have an unprecedentedly close relationship if he is confirmed,” Cassidy said, adding that the two will meet and speak “multiple times a month.” Kennedy also agreed to come before the health committee Cassidy chairs “on a quarterly basis” if requested.

Source, Source

The data, which appeared fleetingly online on Wednesday, confirmed transmission in two households. Scientists called on the agency to release the full report.

Source

Kennedy plans to replace members who he perceives to have conflicts of interest, as part of a widespread effort to minimize what he’s criticized as undue industry influence over the nation’s health agencies. Kennedy has long argued that drugmakers have too much sway over the approval of their products.

The effort is likely to target the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which plays a key role in setting vaccine policy. Kennedy and his top aides are also scrutinizing a host of other outside panels, including those that advise the Food and Drug Administration. Source

The “Make America Healthy Again” announcement, championed by RFK Jr., claims to address major health crises but leans heavily on misleading implications, decontextualized claims, and conspiracy-tinged rhetoric. Although it spotlights genuine concerns, such as chronic disease and medication use, its framing guides the audience to see the same drivers as RFK Jr. has suggested.

The order repeats common claims that misrepresent facts about autism, chronic illness, and pharmaceuticals. The omission of critical context leaves the audience to connect conditions to unrelated events. Many of the approaches RFK Jr. and other “wellness” influencers appear to use overlap with methods used by private industries and state actors to influence the public.

A child who tested positive for measles died in West Texas, the state health department said, marking the first death in an outbreak that has sickened nearly 140 people. The Texas Department of State Health Services said a school-age child died after being hospitalized in Lubbock. The child wasn’t vaccinated, the state health department said. The child’s death marked the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015.

Source

Overall, more than 130 cases have been reported in Texas and neighboring New Mexico. State officials said additional cases are likely to occur because measles is so contagious. “There have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country. Last year there were 16. So it’s not unusual,” Kennedy said on Wednesday. “We have measles outbreaks every year.” Texas hospital officials, however, said all children who had been admitted were unvaccinated and had serious respiratory problems, including some requiring intensive care, and that they do not keep patients solely for quarantine.

Source

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a document Friday proposing to strip public participation from much of the business his department conducts. The move comes during a time of major upheaval across federal health agencies and as the public waits to see how Kennedy will enact his pledge of “radical transparency” at the department.

The statement, placed in the Federal Register, said HHS would rescind its longtime practice of giving members of the public a chance to comment on the agency’s plans. It is set to be formally published in the register on Monday, March 3.

Source, Source

March

Effective immediately, the Richardson Waiver is rescinded and is no longer the policy of the Department. In accordance with the APA, “matters relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts,” are exempt from the notice and comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553, except as otherwise required by law. Agencies and offices of the Department have discretion to apply notice and comment procedures to these matters but are not required to do so, except as otherwise required by law. Additionally, the good cause exception should be used in appropriate circumstances in accordance with the requirements of the APA. The Department will continue to follow notice and comment rulemaking procedures in all instances in which it is required to do so by the statutory text of the APA.

Source

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) terminated at least 33 research grants studying vaccine hesitancy and strategies to increase vaccine uptake, and scaled back 9 others on the topic, reported by Science.

Source

A key Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee shared concerns about CDC director nominee Dave Weldon’s vaccine views with the White House before his nomination was pulled Thursday morning.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told reporters on Capitol Hill that she was so troubled about Weldon’s vaccines stance that she shared her concerns with the White House, and she was not surprised that his nomination had been pulled.

Source, Source, Source

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been one of the prominent voices on measles, making comments that public health experts say are not accurate.

In multiple interviews, Kennedy has claimed that vitamin A and cod liver oil are effective treatments for measles. He also said that poor diet contributes to severe cases of measles and that – while vaccines prevent illness – they also cause severe illnesses and even death.

Some public health experts told ABC News these statements are not rooted in scientific evidence and could be quite dangerous for the public.

“I think it’s really important to try to stay away from these ideas of fringe theories or ideas that have not been scientifically proven,” Kirsten Hokeness, director of the school of health and behavioral sciences at Bryant University, in Rhode Island, told ABC News.

Source, Source

The parents of a 6-year-old unvaccinated child who died from measles in Texas said they still would not recommend that others get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine despite their loss.

The Children’s Health Defense recently posted an interview with the parents. It’s an organization known for spreading anti-vaccine misinformation and was once led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now serves as the Health and Human Services secretary.

Source, Source

A CDC clone website is filled with false and misleading vaccine claims against a backdrop of false balance. An NGO led by the current HHS Secretary until December 2024 is hosting content for the CDC clone. The domain realcdc[.]org currently redirects to this CDC clone, which is staged on chdstaging[.]org.

Source

A fake website, meant to resemble a CDC webpage, was set up sometime this month and quickly taken offline, but not before diligent information manipulation researchers noticed several signs that it was likely connected to Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a former Health and Human Services Secretary. The site falsely suggested a link between vaccines and autism, using “testimonial” videos made by CHD and long-debunked scientific disinformation. While the site has been taken down, the question remains: what, exactly, was the plan here?

Source

The effort is likely to target the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which plays a key role in setting vaccine policy. Kennedy and his top aides are also scrutinizing a host of other outside panels, including those that advise the Food and Drug Administration.

Source

A vaccine skeptic who has long promoted false claims about the connection between immunizations and autism has been tapped by the federal government to conduct a critical study of possible links between the two, according to current and former federal health officials.

The Department of Health and Human Services has hired David Geier to conduct the analysis, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Geier and his father, Mark Geier, have published papers claiming vaccines increase the risk of autism, a theory that has been studied for decades and scientifically debunked.

David Geier was disciplined by Maryland regulators more than a decade ago for practicing medicine without a license. He is listed as a data analyst in the HHS employee directory.

Source

Doctors treating people hospitalized as part of a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico have also found themselves facing another problem: vitamin A toxicity.

At Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, near the outbreak’s epicenter, several patients have been found to have abnormal liver function on routine lab tests, a probable sign that they’ve taken too much of the vitamin, according to Dr. Lara Johnson, pediatric hospitalist and chief medical officer for Covenant Health-Lubbock Service Area.

Source, Source

The Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine official has been pushed out, according to people familiar with the matter. Dr. Peter Marks, who played a key role in the first Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed to develop Covid-19 vaccines, stepped down Friday. He submitted his resignation after a Health and Human Services official earlier in the day gave him the choice to resign or be fired, people familiar with the matter said. “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote in a resignation letter referring to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Source, Source

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s move to gut and reorganize the federal health department shocked many people tasked with making it happen, and left others fearful that everything from the safety of the nation’s drug supply to disease response could be at risk.

The disaster preparedness agency in the Department of Health and Human Services has just two days to prepare a plan to fold itself into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an HHS official, granted anonymity for fear of retribution.

Source

Leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered staff this week not to release their experts’ assessment that found the risk of catching measles is high in areas near outbreaks where vaccination rates are lagging, according to internal records reviewed by ProPublica.

In an aborted plan to roll out the news, the agency would have emphasized the importance of vaccinating people against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease that has spread to 19 states, the records show.

Source

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to reshape the federal health department has left its roughly 1,000 emergency response workers in limbo, and with a daunting order: Sort out how you break up — this weekend.

The George W. Bush-founded Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is caught in the crosshairs of Kennedy’s mass restructuring. Established to respond to national disasters from Hurricane Katrina to infectious disease outbreaks, ASPR has worked for two decades as an independent division within HHS, collaborating across the health, defense, and homeland security departments. It includes the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which finances the development of new biomedical technology and played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic.

BARDA will now be combined with a President Biden-founded agency under a new “Office of Healthy Futures,” according to two people familiar with discussions happening Friday. The decision cleaves the biomedical group from its emergency response agency, which will be shuffled into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says sweeping layoffs and restructuring in the department will bring order to a bureaucracy he claims is in “pandemonium.” But experts say the overhaul also likely gives him far greater control over dozens of federal health agencies.

Source, Source

April

Federal drug regulators have missed the deadline for making a key decision regarding a Covid-19 vaccine from Novavax, days after the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine chief was pushed out. The agency was set to give full approval to Novavax’s shot, but senior leaders at the agency are now sitting on the decision and have said the Novavax application needed more data and was unlikely to be approved soon, people familiar with the matter said.

Source

Kennedy framed this as a response to growing public concern over vaccine safety. This institutional openness occurs despite repeated investigations dismissing such claims.

Source (minute 5:40)

The top vaccine regulator ousted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the health secretary’s team has sought nonexistent data to justify antivaccine narratives and pushed to water down regulation of unproven stem-cell treatments. “I can never give allegiance to anyone else other than to follow the science as we see it,” said Dr. Peter Marks, the Food and Drug Administration official.

“That does not mean that I can just roll over and take conspiracy theories and justify them.” Marks, who is leaving his FDA post on Saturday after he was offered the choice to resign or be fired, described Kennedy’s tenure to date as “very scary” in an interview with The Wall Street Journal Friday.

Source

They were notified that their jobs have been cut as part of massive layoffs at federal health agencies. Also cut: the people helping to deal with an ongoing lead-exposure crisis in Milwaukee schools. So were the federal health officials who would respond in the case of a radiation emergency.

All of those positions were housed within the CDC’s Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice. With the possible exception of commissioned public health officers, every single employee, including the director, was placed on leave this week. According to an internal CDC document shared with STAT, the division was “to be eliminated in its entirety.”

Since then, there have been conflicting messages from the Trump administration about the fate of these public health workers. According to ABC, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. indicated that 20% of the programs that had been cut were gutted by mistake, and would be reinstated. He singled out the one that focuses on monitoring blood lead levels in children. But then ABC’s story was updated to include a different statement from the department that Kennedy leads: “The personnel for that current division, of how it exists now, are not being reinstated. The work will continue elsewhere at HHS. We are consolidating duplicate programs into one place.”

Source

At a time when the world is down to a single drug that can reliably cure gonorrhea, the U.S. government has shuttered the country’s premier sexually transmitted diseases laboratory, leaving experts aghast and fearful about what lies ahead.

The STD lab at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — a leading player in global efforts to monitor for drug resistance in the bacteria that cause these diseases — was among the targets of major staff slashing at the CDC this past week.

Klausner was shocked by the CDC lab’s closure. “To me, this is like a blind man with a chainsaw has just gone through the system and arbitrarily cut things without any rationale,” he said in an interview.

Source

A second child with measles in Texas has died amid an outbreak that’s sickened more than 480 people in the state since January.

Fifty-six of those who have gotten measles have been hospitalized as of Friday, the state’s Department of Health reported on its website. The exact cause of the latest death is still under investigation.

Source

The move to keep FDA staff working to furnish government records related to its approval of covid vaccines came amid a purge of FOIA workers across federal health agencies, including the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HHS laid off the entire CDC office handling that agency’s FOIA requests and significantly cut staff at the NIH and FDA, according to eight current or former federal workers. Overall, as part of its plans to shrink the department by 20,000 people, HHS officials said 10,000 employees would be laid off, 3,500 of them from the FDA.

Nikhel Sus, deputy chief counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a legal advocacy group, said, “It’s very concerning that an agency would be prioritizing requests for political reasons.” For years, Kennedy has peddled falsehoods about vaccines — including that “no vaccine” is “safe and effective,” and that “there are other studies out there” showing a connection between vaccines and autism, a link that has repeatedly been debunked.

“That is not what FOIA is meant to do,” Sus said. CREW this month sued the CDC for firing its entire FOIA office.

The layoffs gutted the workforce that process FOIA requests across FDA centers overseeing vaccines, drugs, tobacco, medical devices, and food, current and former employees said. During the 2024 fiscal year — October 2023 through September 2024 — the FDA provided at least some records in response to more than 12,000 requests, according to HHS’ annual FOIA report.

The firings have been inconsistent across offices. Within the FDA division that regulates vaccines, public records staffers who proactively release certain documents, such as information about approved products, were fired, three of the workers said. But in the FDA’s drug division, they were not, two workers said.

At least some who handle FOIA litigation in the FDA offices regulating vaccines and drugs kept their jobs, according to four workers.

Source

During his first news conference as Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 16 ticked off things he thinks kids with autism will never do, including paying taxes, holding a job, and going on a date. Kennedy’s comments go against science and reality.

Source

May

The 216 pediatric deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eclipse the 207 reported last year. It’s the most since the 2009-2010 H1N1 global flu pandemic.

It’s a startlingly high number, given that the flu season is still going on. The final pediatric death tally for the 2023-2024 flu season wasn’t counted until autumn.

“This number that we have now is almost certainly an undercount, and one that — when the season is declared over, and they compile all the data — it’s almost certain to go up,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

There are likely several contributors to this season’s severity, but a big one is that fewer children are getting flu shots, added O’Leary, a University of Colorado pediatric infectious diseases specialist.

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The Trump administration halted a Denver study on vaccine trust in a historically Black community before results were analyzed, raising concerns about silencing marginalized voices in public health research. This occurred amid a severe flu season with high pediatric deaths and rising outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, highlighting the urgency of effective vaccine communication.

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The Trump administration’s unprecedented $500 million grant for a broadly protective flu shot has confounded vaccine and pandemic preparedness experts, who said the project was in early stages, relied on old technology, and was just one of more than 200 such efforts.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shifted the money from a pandemic preparedness fund to a vaccine development program led by two scientists whom the administration recently named to senior positions at the National Institutes of Health.

While some experts were pleased that Kennedy had supported any vaccine project, they said the May 1 announcement contravened sound scientific policy, appeared arbitrary, and raised the kinds of questions about conflicts of interest that have dogged many of President Donald Trump’s actions.

Focusing vast resources on a single vaccine candidate “is a little like going to the Kentucky Derby and putting all your money on one horse,” said William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University professor and past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “In science we normally put money on a number of different horses because we can’t be entirely sure who’s going to win.”

Others were mystified by the decision, since the candidate vaccine uses technology that was largely abandoned in the 1970s and eschews techniques developed in recent decades through funding from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Defense Department.

“This is not a next-generation vaccine,” said Rick Bright, who led HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, in the first Trump administration. “It’s so last-generation, or first-generation, it’s mind-blowing.”

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The MAHA report serves as a vignette of techniques used to mislead the public by exploiting the credibility and language of science. A closer look reveals not only bias but outright fabrication.

The report claims to cite over 500 scientific sources. That sounds impressive—until you try to verify them.

At least seven of the studies don’t exist. Not misquoted. Not misrepresented. Fabricated and cited as if they were published in major journals.

With fake titles, fake DOIs, and fake authors, it looks a lot like what we have come to know as AI hallucination.

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The new HHS guidance disregards a robust body of evidence and contradicts formal recommendations from major specialty organizations in obstetrics, pediatrics, and infectious diseases. It bypasses the recently removed requirement for public comment, disregards the evidence-based review process typically upheld by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and provides no credible justification for such a reversal.

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  • ACOG strongly opposes HHS’s guidance, calling it “extremely disappointing.”

  • AAP rejects claims that healthy children don’t need the vaccine, pointing to CDC data showing 41% of hospitalized children had no underlying conditions.

  • ISDA stressed that pregnancy is a known risk factor for severe outcomes (e.g., preeclampsia, organ damage, preterm birth). It also criticized the unilateral decision, which will affect millions of Americans who are at a higher risk for complications but will no longer meet HHS vaccination criteria.

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The Make Our Children Healthy Again (MAHA) Assessment, a May 2025 publication from the Presidential MAHA Commission, presents an alarming view of child health in the United States. Despite its government imprimatur, the MAHA Assessment is not an original scientific product. It closely mirrors earlier publications from Children’s Health Defense (CHD).

The 2023 report, Chronic Health Conditions Among Children, from CHD and the 2024 Vaccine Curriculum, together form a template with which you could write much of the 2025 MAHA Assessment. The tone and format have been changed to one that sounds more like legitimate policy.

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June

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed healthy pregnant women do not need COVID-19 boosters, contradicting CDC guidance that classifies pregnant women as high-risk and recommends vaccination due to increased risks of severe illness and complications. His announcement to remove COVID vaccines from the CDC immunization schedule for healthy pregnant women bypassed established scientific review processes, raising concerns about public health policy undermining evidence-based recommendations. Experts emphasize that pregnancy suppresses the immune system, increasing vulnerability to severe COVID-19 outcomes, supporting continued vaccination.

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The FDA launched its AI assistant Elsa to expedite clinical protocol reviews and reduce scientific review times, but staff responses have been mixed due to Elsa’s outdated knowledge (current only through April 2024) and occasional inaccuracies. While some users find it helpful for quickly accessing and verifying information, concerns remain about reliance on the tool given its errors and the need for human oversight. Elsa’s deployment reflects a shift toward integrating AI in public health regulatory processes.

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Despite RFK Jr.’s promises to prioritize Native American health care, significant federal health program cuts have led to reduced funding, staffing shortages, and poor communication in tribal health services. These changes exacerbate existing health disparities and undermine access to care, raising concerns about the administration’s understanding of the broader impacts beyond the Indian Health Service.

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Pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos resigned on Tuesday as co-leader of a U.S. CDC working group that advises outside experts on COVID-19 vaccines and is leaving the agency, two sources familiar with the move told Reuters. Panagiotakopoulos said in an email to work group colleagues that her decision to step down was based on the belief she is “no longer able to help the most vulnerable members” of the U.S. population.

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NIH scientists published the Bethesda Declaration expressing concern over deep cuts in public health research and policies they believe undermine the NIH mission and harm public health. The declaration challenges leadership decisions that may waste resources and negatively impact health outcomes.

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RFK Jr.’s op-ed, published in the Wall Street Journal, announced a total overhaul of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), scheduled to meet later this month, under the guise of restoring public trust. He’s breaking public promises to do it.

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On Monday, I took a major step towards restoring public trust in vaccines by reconstituting the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). I retired the 17 current members of the committee. I’m now repopulating ACIP with the eight new members who will attend ACIP’s.

  • @SecKennedy on X

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This board has no epidemiologists (unless we consider Kulldorff, but he is really a biostatistician), only one infectious disease physician, no immunologist, no one experienced in implementing vaccine policy, an ob-gyn whose expertise relates to cancer prevention in adult women and several people who have expertise which seems to have little or no direct relevance to vaccines, including:

  • A nutritional neuroscientist
  • A professor of operations management
  • An ER physician with no discernible research experience

The one trait that is well represented here is opposition to vaccines at some level.

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A document the Department of Health and Human Services sent to lawmakers to support Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to change U.S. policy on covid vaccines cites scientific studies that are unpublished or under dispute and mischaracterizes others.

One health expert called the document “willful medical disinformation” about the safety of covid vaccines for children and pregnant women.

“It is so far out of left field that I find it insulting to our members of Congress that they would actually give them something like this. Congress members are relying on these agencies to provide them with valid information, and it’s just not there,” said Mark Turrentine, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine.

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Hundreds of workers at the National Institutes of Health — the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world — are openly protesting the Trump administration’s policies regarding the agency, saying the upheaval and harm being done to the institution is so great that they felt they had no choice.

A letter sent June 9 to agency director Jay Bhattacharya, signed by more than 300 current or former workers — including more than a quarter who signed their names publicly — is an extraordinary rebuke of the Trump administration’s actions against the NIH this year. And that is no small list. They include terminating hundreds of grants funding scientific and biomedical research across the country, firing more than 1,000 employees, tanking funding for young scientists, and moving to end billions in funds to partner research institutions overseas, a move current and former NIH workers say will harm work to combat rare cancers and infectious diseases, among other research.

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“If you had a child would you vaccinate that child for measles?” Rep. Marc Pocan (D-Wisc.) asked Kennedy.

Kennedy hesitated before saying “probably,” then adding that his opinion is “irrelevant” and stressing that he doesn’t want it to seem like he is advising people on how to protect their children against measles — despite the vaccine’s proven effectiveness, as well as the fact that he is literally the nation’s chief health official.

“I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me,” Kennedy said.

“That’s kind of your jurisdiction, because the CDC does give advice,” Pocan replied.

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June’s ACIP draft agenda narrowed focus to COVID-19/RSV/influenza with many “TBD” entries, partial EtR frameworks, and immediate comment periods—contrasting February/April agendas’ broader scope, named presenters, full EtR, and deliberative comment windows.

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On X, Kennedy posted misleading claims about thimerosal—exaggerating risks, misapplying safety standards, and fear-mongering rather than citing gold-standard science.

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Sen. Cassidy criticized new ACIP appointees for lacking microbiology, epidemiology, or immunology expertise and urged delaying the meeting until a fully qualified panel is seated as required by law.

“Although the appointees to ACIP have scientific credentials, many do not have significant experience studying microbiology, epidemiology or immunology. In particular, some lack experience studying new technologies such as mRNA vaccines, and may even have a preconceived bias against them. Robust and transparent scientific discussion is important, so long as it is rooted in evidence and understanding. Wednesday’s meeting should not proceed with a relatively small panel, and no CDC Director in place to approve the panel’s recommendations. The meeting should be delayed until the panel is fully staffed with more robust and balanced representation—as required by law—including those with more direct relevant expertise. Otherwise, ACIP’s recommendations could be viewed with skepticism, which will work against the success of this Administration’s efforts.”

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We found that a 2006 Children’s Health Defense (CHD) article and the 2025 ACIP presentation share extensive textual overlap. The CDC slides don’t just echo CHD’s claims—they replicate them, word for word in some cases, along with many of the same citations.

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Kennedy announced halting U.S. funding to Gavi, citing safety/transparency concerns; experts like Dr. Paul Offit warned this “incredibly dangerous” move endangers millions of children’s immunizations.

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Fiona Havers, a former top CDC vaccine expert, resigned in protest following the firing of members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

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July

Proposed funding cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the fiscal year 2026 federal budget will lead to significant negative health impacts for millions of Americans, a coalition of former federal health officials said. These proposed funding cuts are not related to the “big, beautiful bill” that is making its way through Congress. The press conference was organized by CDC Alumni and Friends and Fired But Fighting, an informal network of public health advocates. The latter has created a website that lays out the proposed budget cuts to the CDC.

The former officials spoke out during a press conference on Wednesday noting that the proposed budget would slash CDC’s budget by more than half (54%), taking it from $9.3 billion to $4.2 billion.

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Adults as young as 50 may now qualify for an RSV vaccine if they have certain health conditions, according to a quiet update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks a change from the CDC’s previous recommendation, which only offered the shot to people 60 and older who were at high risk, the Associated Press reported. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is usually mild but can cause severe illness in infants, older adults and people with certain health problems. It affects the nose, throat and lungs.

Earlier this year, a group of vaccine experts on the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to expand RSV vaccination to high-risk adults starting at age 50. However, that recommendation was not executed after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the panel in June. He replaced them with seven new members, some of whom have questioned vaccine effectiveness.

The reconstituted panel has not discussed RSV vaccination again and has already caused concern among doctors by questioning proven science around flu vaccines and childhood immunizations, the AP said. Despite this, a page on the CDC’s website updated last week says Kennedy approved the original panel’s RSV recommendation on June 25.

The site now states that vaccinating high-risk adults 50 and older is an “official recommendation of the CDC,” the AP added. The change has not yet appeared on the agency’s main adult immunization schedule. The CDC already recommends the RSV shot for all adults 75 and older and for people 60 and older who have health conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV. It also recommends the shot during pregnancy to protect newborns.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended its emergency response to the H5N1 bird flu and said Monday it will streamline future updates on the virus with routine reports on seasonal influenza. The big picture: A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said the response was “deactivated to transition back to regular program activity” last Wednesday due to animal infections with the H5N1 strain declining and no human cases being reported since February. CDC data shows 70 bird flu cases were reported in the U.S., but there are no known person-to-person exposures in the U.S. right now, eliminating the need for the virus’ emergency declaration.

The agency will continue to monitor the situation and report data on the number of people monitored and tested for bird flu monthly. Detections in animals will no longer be reported on the CDC’s website, but can be found on the USDA’s website. State of play: There has only been one fatality from H5N1 in the U.S. since the CDC H5N1 Bird Flu Response was activated in April last year, which was reported earlier this year in Louisiana.

The highest concentration of cases on the West Coast in California and Washington, according to CDC data. The most affected states have either ended or are winding down their responses. The HHS spokesperson said in their email statement that although the current public health risk from H5N1 bird flu is low, the CDC will continue to monitor the situation and scale up activities as needed.

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Six major medical groups, and a pregnant physician, are suing health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over changes he made to Covid-19 vaccine recommendations that they say were unlawful and undermine public trust in health care. The suit argues that a May 19 directive signed by Kennedy, which said that the Covid-19 vaccine would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant people, violates decades of policy governing how vaccines are reviewed, approved, and recommended in the U.S.

“The Secretary cited no emergency, let alone change in circumstances, to justify the directive … [the directive] is contrary to the wealth of data and peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Covid vaccines for children and pregnant women,” reads the suit, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics and filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Other plaintiffs are the American College of Physicians, American Public Health Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Massachusetts Public Health Alliance, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the pregnant physician. The latter plaintiff, an unnamed woman who works in a Massachusetts hospital, says the policy change has created barriers to getting a Covid-19 vaccine, despite her exposure to illness at work, and has left her worried “for the health and safety of her unborn child,” per the suit.

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The U.S. has reported 1,288 measles cases this year — the highest number in 33 years, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The last time the U.S. saw more measles cases was in 1992, eight years before the disease was declared eliminated in the country. “We’re seeing a lot more measles transmission than we are used to,” says Caitlin Rivers. She’s the director of the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, which has its own measles dashboard.

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The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) voted to advance Susan Monarez’s nomination as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. The panel voted along party lines 12-11. Monarez is the first CDC director nominee to require a Senate confirmation after Congress passed a law requiring it in 2022.

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The number of measles cases has reached the highest level in the United States since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000. This is truly a cause for serious alarm. The unnecessary suffering, the broadening risk to many Americans, and the burden the disease is placing on our health care system are all the more distressing because measles is preventable. In fact, measles was declared eliminated because of successful vaccination efforts. We are committed to working collaboratively to address the clear and present danger that public hesitancy toward vaccines now presents.

Public health officials should be supported in unambiguously communicating that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is extremely safe and effective, and we urge our professional colleagues to share evidence-based information on the safety and efficacy of vaccines within their communities. We support the recommendations for routine vaccination in children to prevent further spread of the virus. Below is a list of National Academies resources to inform these efforts.

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Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) called on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to immediately declare a public health emergency for measles, blaming the senior Trump administration official for failing to respond to the rapid resurgence of the disease. Schumer accused Kennedy in a bluntly worded letter Friday of walking “our country into the nation’s largest measles outbreak in 33 years, leading cases to hit a record high a full 25 years after this country eliminated the disease.”

Schumer said what began as a localized outbreak in Texas has now “exploded” into a nationwide health crisis with nearly 1,300 Americans across 38 states reported to have become infected. “To prevent this historic record high spread from reaching further and to save lives, you should immediately declare a Public Health Emergency for measles,” Schumer wrote. The Democratic leader expressed his “deep concern” about Kennedy’s “response — or lack thereof — to the rapid resurgence of measles across the United States.”

“Under your tutelage as secretary, you have undermined vaccines, gutted public health funding, and dismantled core federal protections meant to keep Americans safe,” he wrote. Schumer cited the mass layoffs of federal health care employees, including infectious disease scientists, the “careless and devastating” freezing of grants and Kennedy’s overhaul of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Kennedy last month removed all 17 members from the advisory committee that guides vaccine policy and recommendations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“As a painful but pertinent reminder, you’ve laid off disease experts, canceled National Institutes of Health (NIH) research into vaccine hesitancy, fired scientists from the nation’s top immunization panel, and stripped over $11 billion in federal public health grants — including $550 million from Texas during the peak of its outbreak,” he wrote. He said that resulted in 50 vaccine clinics closing and 21 public health workers losing their jobs in Dallas County alone. Schumer noted that while measles is a highly contagious virus, it’s also preventable and was declared eliminated in the Untied States in 2000 after years of a nationwide campaign to give children two doses of the measles vaccine.

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The FDA will hold a panel discussion Thursday on hormone therapy for menopausal women, a pet issue for Commissioner Marty Makary that’s separately garnered attention in the states and on social media.

The agency’s X post announcing the event billed it as a forum to “discuss treatments, education, and comprehensive care beyond symptom management.” In a video posted Monday afternoon, Makary said the meeting would “address the evidence and medical dogma in this field.”

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Thousands of health workers lost their jobs this week after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for the Trump administration to move forward with major staffing cuts. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized 10,000 layoffs across federal health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The New York Times reported. The layoffs followed a March announcement by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who called for a major department overhaul. The affected workers included staff responsible for travel logistics, communication, medical research contracts and other related tasks.

“Thank you for your service to the American people,” said an email sent to workers as they were removed from the payroll. Some employees who received layoff notices April 1 first learned they were let go when their building access badges stopped working. But many people still remained officially on the payroll until 5 p.m. Monday, when the high court allowed the administration to move forward, even as legal challenges continue, The Times said. While the administration called many of the jobs “redundant,” critics liken the cuts to having doctors but no support staff in a hospital.

“What I have seen is some of the very best people, people who have alternatives, who have choices, have decided they just don’t want to stay in this limbo land,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health who was former President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 response coordinator. Jha warned that the ongoing staffing cuts could cause more employees to leave.

“They don’t want to be in an organization that’s under such upheaval,” he said. In total, HHS plans to cut about 20,000 jobs this year. That includes earlier layoffs, early retirements and buyouts. The department is also shrinking its number of divisions from 28 to 15, The Times said. While officials pointed to the department’s $1.8 trillion budget as a reason for the cuts, experts said payroll represented less than 1% of that amount. Most of the money funds programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

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On June 16, a federal judge in Boston ruled that the National Institutes of Health’s termination of hundreds of research grants was illegal and ordered the funds reinstated. In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young called the terminations “arbitrary and capricious.”

A small handful of the roughly 200 federal grants to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that have been terminated in recent months could be affected by the ruling. It is not clear whether or when payments on those grants might resume.

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USAID funding over two decades significantly reduced mortality in low- and middle-income countries, including a 15% drop in all-cause mortality and major declines in deaths from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases. However, recent steep funding cuts in 2025 threaten to reverse these gains, potentially causing over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, raising serious public health concerns if funding is not restored.

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An FDA panel expressed doubts about the safety of SSRIs during pregnancy and discussed adding a black box warning for fetal risks, despite extensive research showing low risk compared to untreated maternal depression. Experts warn this could worsen maternal mental health outcomes, as untreated depression poses serious risks including preterm birth, preeclampsia, and suicide. The panel’s focus on potential SSRI risks without addressing benefits or current neuroscience may lead to reduced antidepressant use and increased harm to mothers and infants.

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Current and former members of the FDA told CNN about issues with the Elsa generative AI tool unveiled by the federal agency last month. Three employees said that in practice, Elsa has hallucinated nonexistent studies or misrepresented real research.

“Anything that you don’t have time to double-check is unreliable,” one source told the publication.

“It hallucinates confidently.” Which isn’t exactly ideal for a tool that’s supposed to be speeding up the clinical review process and aiding with making efficient, informed decisions to benefit patients. Leadership at the FDA appeared unfazed by the potential problems posed by Elsa.

“I have not heard those specific concerns,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary told CNN. He also emphasized that using Elsa and participating in the training to use it are currently voluntary at the agency.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services told Engadget that “the information provided by FDA to CNN was mischaracterized and taken out of context.”

The spokesperson also claimed that CNN led its story with “disgruntled former employees and sources who have never even used the current version of Elsa.”

The agency claims to have guardrails and guidance for how its employees can use the tool, but its statement doesn’t address that Elsa, like any AI platform, can and will deliver incorrect or incomplete information at times.

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The CDC’s flagship journal MMWR is experiencing a major publishing slowdown due to extensive internal review processes and resource constraints exacerbated by funding cuts to state and local public health departments. This slowdown has led to reduced dissemination and impact of public health findings.

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The AMA expressed deep concern over reports that the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary plans to remove all members of the USPSTF, emphasizing the task force’s critical role in providing evidence-based preventive health recommendations that influence nationwide insurance coverage. The AMA urged retention of current members to maintain continuity in preventive service guidelines, warning that disruption could impact access to essential screenings and preventive care without cost sharing. This raises potential concerns about interruptions in evidence-based public health policy and patient access to preventive services.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. repeated false claims about vaccine safety and efficacy, including that aluminum in vaccines causes food allergies, at a meeting with governors in Colorado Springs. He also suggested that diabetes can be cured through diet and criticized the US healthcare system, advocating for a shift to a public database for independent scientists to study health data.

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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to overhaul the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), criticizing it for failing to fairly and quickly compensate vaccine-injured individuals and pledging to expand eligibility for claims. This proposed change raises concerns due to Kennedy’s history of promoting debunked vaccine-autism links and anti-vaccine positions, which could impact public trust and vaccine policy.

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Vinay Prasad, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s chief medical and science officer, has left the health regulator, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, said on Tuesday, confirming an earlier news report. “Dr. Prasad did not want to be a distraction to the great work of the FDA in the Trump administration and has decided to return to California and spend more time with his family,” an HHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

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In recent months, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary has amplified unfounded concerns about the safety of seed oils, a subset of vegetable oils used in infant formula. There isn’t evidence these fat sources are harmful to infants. “Generally, they’re believed to be pro-inflammatory,” Makary said of seed oils on June 4 in an interview on “Fox & Friends,” echoing claims that wellness influencers have spread about seed oils, despite a lack of evidence they are harmful when included in people’s diets, as we’ve written before.

“We don’t want babies with general body inflammation. Forty percent of our nation’s kids have a chronic condition. Many of those are tied to inflammation and insulin resistance,” he said.

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Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) wants to abolish the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He may have been partly influenced by claims from health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that the program is broken. That’s simply not true. Eliminating it would harm not just people with valid claims of being harmed by vaccines but also the rest of us, by making vaccines less available. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is a no-fault compensation program for people who say that a childhood vaccine hurt them in some way. They need to present their claims to this federal administrative program before they can sue in regular courts. In several ways, it’s better for the claimants than going directly to court.

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Vaccination rates for several diseases including measles, diphtheria and polio decreased among U.S. kindergartners in the 2024-25 school year from the year before, according to federal data posted on Thursday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the new figures at a time when the country faces a growing measles outbreak, with confirmed cases this month reaching the highest level since the disease was declared eliminated from the country in 2000.

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August

Under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, the CDC has quietly reported a continued decline in kindergarten MMR vaccination rates, reaching a 33-year low in coverage and coinciding with a surge in measles outbreaks. Public health policy has shifted as nonmedical vaccine exemptions have risen to an all-time high, influenced by anti-vaccine rhetoric from the health secretary, while the CDC has reduced transparency by skipping its usual detailed vaccination coverage reports.

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The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has decided to stop accepting federal funding due to recent federal policy changes that conflict with its program goals and evidence-based care guidelines. This move reflects concerns over shifts in public health policy under the current administration, including changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant individuals and restrictions on contraceptive access, which the best evidence suggests is detrimental to maternal health outcomes.

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is blocking funding for a swath of public-health programs run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources. These include youth violence prevention programs, research on preventing gun injuries and deaths and efforts targeting diabetes, chronic kidney disease and tobacco use, according to the report.

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The AMA and seven other medical organizations condemned the removal of their volunteer liaisons from ACIP work groups, criticizing the administration’s claim of addressing conflicts of interest as undermining transparency and public trust in vaccine recommendations. This policy change excludes experienced medical experts from reviewing vaccine data, which the groups warn could jeopardize public health and confidence in immunization programs. The AMA also expressed concern over the dismissal of all 17 ACIP members, highlighting risks to the integrity of vaccine policy development.

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Since February 2025, HRSA has experienced a loss of about a quarter of its workforce, including key staff managing grants for vital health programs nationwide. This significant reduction threatens the administration and funding of essential public health services such as HIV/AIDS treatment, maternal and child care, rural health initiatives, and workforce training, increasing strain on hospitals and healthcare costs.

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U.S. health officials have excluded major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, from vaccine recommendation panels, removing their experts from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices workgroups.

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HHS is ending its mRNA vaccine development under BARDA, canceling or scaling back 22 projects worth nearly $500 million. The agency claimed to be shifting to an older technology that it described as a safer, broader vaccine platform. Experts disagree and express concern that the old technologies may cause more vaccine reactions and provide less robust immunity.

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Rick Bright on X: “BARDA invested in mRNA technology precisely because it could deliver safe, scalable vaccines in record time, a capability proven during COVID. By dismantling that platform, we’re crippling our front-line defense, just ahead of unknown biological threats.”

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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced canceling $500 million in mRNA vaccine development contracts, citing concerns about their effectiveness against respiratory viruses and virus mutation. This policy shift prioritizes alternative vaccine technologies but contradicts established scientific consensus on mRNA vaccine safety and efficacy. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned that this decision could lead to increased public health risks and cost lives.

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ACA Marketplace premiums are projected to increase by a median of 18% in 2026, driven primarily by rising healthcare costs, including high-priced drugs, labor, and inflation, as well as the potential expiration of enhanced premium tax credits. The loss of these tax credits could cause out-of-pocket costs to rise by over 75%, likely leading healthier enrollees to drop coverage and further increasing premiums. These changes raise concerns about affordability and access to coverage for ACA enrollees.

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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. quietly endorsed the ACIP recommendation for annual flu vaccination for all individuals aged 6 months and older for the 2025-2026 season, formalizing it as CDC policy despite the absence of a CDC director at the time. This endorsement contrasts with his earlier public stance on removing thimerosal from flu vaccines. Potential concerns include the lack of public communication around the endorsement and the timing amid leadership transitions at the CDC.

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Although mRNA vaccines saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. incorrectly argued they are ineffective to justify the Department of Health and Human Service’s recent decision to cancel $500 million in government-funded research projects to develop new vaccines using the technology.

The longtime vaccine critic said in an X video posted Tuesday evening that mRNA vaccines do not adequately prevent upper respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and the flu, advocating instead for the development vaccines that use other processes.

COVID-19 is the only virus for which real-world data on mRNA vaccine effectiveness is currently available, as mRNA vaccines for other diseases, including the flu, are still under development. The two scientists whose discoveries enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 won a Nobel Prize in 2023 for their work.

Kennedy’s claim ignores how mRNA vaccines work, according to experts. They prevent against severe infection and death, but cannot completely prevent an infection from occurring in the first place. Plus, years of research supports the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA technology.

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Federal immigration authorities detained a woman seeking medical care at the National Institutes of Health’s flagship research hospital, according to an internal document and an NIH official briefed on the situation.

The woman, an existing patient, drew scrutiny at a security station to enter the campus of the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, when she handed over a state driver’s license that failed to meet new federal security ID standards.

That prompted NIH officials to check for warrants and discover she had an order for removal. They then called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The woman was to receive care through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, according to the official and the document. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Source

On August 8, 2025, Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Kennesaw, Georgia, opened fire on multiple buildings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. He fired approximately 40 rounds, targeting the institution at the center of pervasive vaccine misinformation. Before the attack, White had become fixated on the belief that the COVID‑19 vaccine was the source of his personal health problems and suicidal thoughts. His father had previously alerted authorities to White’s suicidal ideation.

RFK Jr., through his anti-vaccine group, funded the anti-vaccine film Plandemic, one of the biggest drivers of false vaccine claims in the years following its release.

Source

August 10, 2025 - CDC Shooting: Union Wants Trump Officials To Condemn Vaccine Disinformation

A shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, killed a police officer and was linked to the suspect’s claim that the COVID vaccine caused his health issues. The American Federation of Government Employees union is calling for the CDC and HHS to condemn vaccine disinformation, citing its potential to incite violence against scientists and undermine public trust in public health information.

Source

A federal judge ordered the US Department of Health and Human Services to stop sharing Medicaid data, including home addresses and Social Security numbers, with deportation officials due to privacy concerns. The order affects 20 states and is in place until the health department provides a clear justification for the data sharing.

Source

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reinstated a task force to oversee childhood vaccine safety, aiming to develop and promote vaccines with fewer adverse reactions and improve adverse reaction reporting. The task force will work with existing agencies to make recommendations and send a report to Congress within 2 years. The move has raised concerns that it may undermine confidence in routine childhood vaccines by duplicating existing systems for political purposes.

Source

The US Department of Health and Human Services is halting 22 mRNA vaccine development projects, ending nearly $500 million in investments, potentially hindering the country’s ability to quickly respond to future health threats. This decision reverses years of investment in mRNA technology, which enabled rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Source

RFK Jr. has canceled research on mRNA vaccines, including a potential universal cancer vaccine, due to his vaccine skepticism, putting US leadership in mRNA research at risk and potentially ceding a strategic public health advantage to countries like China. This decision has been criticized by experts, including former BARDA head Rick Bright, who likened mRNA research to a “missile defense system for biology.”

Source

The US CDC appointed Retsef Levi, a vaccine critic, to lead its COVID-19 immunization workgroup, which reviews vaccine safety and effectiveness. Levi has expressed concerns about mRNA vaccines, including potential harm to children. This appointment may raise concerns about the committee’s objectivity and potential impact on public health policy.

Source

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics diverged from the CDC’s vaccine recommendations, advising routine COVID-19 shots for healthy children and pregnant women. The CDC now recommends “shared clinical decision-making” for children under 2 years old, while the AAP recommends vaccination for this age group. This divergence is part of a broader trend of public health organizations questioning the CDC’s vaccine guidance due to recent changes in the agency’s vaccine review process.

Source

“CDC hasn’t reached out to us locally,” Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, wrote in a Feb. 5 email exchange with a colleague two weeks after children with measles were hospitalized in Lubbock. “My staff feels like we are out here all alone,” she added.

A child would die before CDC scientists contacted Wells.

Source

RFK Jr. claims to see mitochondrial challenges in children’s faces, but experts dispute this as not scientifically possible.

Source

RFK Jr. suggests that the rise in school shootings in the US may be linked to the country’s high rate of antidepressant medication use, specifically SSRIs, which he believes may contribute to violent behavior.

Source

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. falsely claimed on Fox News that the CDC lists abortion as one of the top 10 advances in medical science, citing the agency’s website. This statement is a distortion of the CDC’s actual content.

Source

US kindergarten vaccination coverage declined to 92% for DTaP and 93% for MMR vaccine, with 138,000 students exempt from at least one vaccine, mostly for non-medical reasons. This increase in exemptions is a concern as it puts students and peers at risk, particularly with the rising number of measles cases in 2025.

Source

September

A top FDA official, Vinay Prasad, demanded the removal of YouTube videos featuring himself criticizing COVID vaccines, leading to the deletion of a channel containing 350 videos of public health officials, including Prasad, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Jay Bhattacharya. The channel’s creator, Jonathan Howard, aimed to preserve and document public health officials’ statements during the pandemic, including those that downplayed vaccine risks and COVID-19 severity.

YouTube deleted the entire channel citing copyright infringement.

Source

We have each had the honor and privilege of serving as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, either in a permanent or an acting capacity, dating back to 1977. Collectively, we spent more than 100 years working at the C.D.C., the world’s pre-eminent public health agency. We served under multiple Republican and Democratic administrations — every president from Jimmy Carter to Donald Trump — alongside thousands of dedicated staff members who shared our commitment to saving lives and improving health.

What the health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has done to the C.D.C. and to our nation’s public health system over the past several months — culminating in his decision to fire Susan Monarez as C.D.C. director days ago — is unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency and unlike anything our country had ever experienced.

Mr. Kennedy has fired thousands of federal health workers and severely weakened programs designed to protect Americans from cancer, heart attacks, strokes, lead poisoning, injury, violence and more. Amid the largest measles outbreak in the United States in a generation, he’s focused on unproven treatments while downplaying vaccines. He canceled investments in promising medical research that will leave us ill prepared for future health emergencies. He replaced experts on federal health advisory committees with unqualified individuals who share his dangerous and unscientific views. He announced the end of U.S. support for global vaccination programs that protect millions of children and keep Americans safe, citing flawed research and making inaccurate statements. And he championed federal legislation that will cause millions of people with health insurance through Medicaid to lose their coverage. Firing Dr. Monarez — which led to the resignations of top C.D.C. officials — adds considerable fuel to this raging fire.

We are worried about the wide-ranging impact that all these decisions will have on America’s health security. Residents of rural communities and people with disabilities will have even more limited access to health care. Families with low incomes who rely most heavily on community health clinics and support from state and local health departments will have fewer resources available to them. Children risk losing access to lifesaving vaccines because of the cost.

This is unacceptable, and it should alarm every American, regardless of political l leanings.

Source

Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine safety expert, was removed from the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee after his term as a special government employee expired. The reason for his removal is unclear, and it is not known if his status will be renewed.

Source

Florida plans to eliminate childhood vaccine mandates, a move that reverses decades of public health policy and could increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks among schoolchildren. This decision is a significant departure from established research showing vaccines to be safe and effective in preventing the spread of diseases.

Source

A joint statement from 24 national medical, scientific, and public health organizations calls for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. due to concerns that his policies undermine science and public health, putting Americans at risk of foodborne illness, reduced diagnostic testing, and decreased ability to track and respond to infectious diseases.

Source

Kerry Kennedy and her nephew Joseph P. Kennedy III called for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign as HHS Secretary, citing concerns that his leadership is putting lives at risk due to the “decimation” of critical health institutions.

Source

Vinay Prasad has regained his role as FDA Chief Medical Officer, overseeing vaccine, gene therapy, and blood product regulation. He will advise the FDA Commissioner on emerging medical and scientific issues.

Source

The US CDC plans to award a contract to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to investigate the link between vaccines and autism, despite existing scientific evidence showing no association. The contract’s lead researcher has previously published studies suggesting potential links between autism and various factors, including heavy metals and maternal health. The CDC’s own website maintains that vaccines do not cause autism.

Source

The FDA reportedly plans to link COVID-19 vaccines to 25 minor deaths, causing Moderna shares to drop 7.4% to their lowest level since March 2020.

Source

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rapidly changing US vaccine policies, restricting COVID-19 shot eligibility, expanding vaccine exemptions, and potentially limiting access to vaccines for children. This has raised concerns among public health experts, who fear that recommendations may be made without rigorous scientific review, potentially leading to increased preventable diseases.

Source

RFK Jr.-Backed Panel Advises Against MMRV Combo Vaccine for Young Children

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s handpicked slate of vaccine advisers voted to no longer recommend a combined shot for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella for children under age 4.

Source

US vaccine advisers, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recommended COVID-19 shots be administered through shared decision-making with a healthcare provider, not requiring a broad recommendation. This change maintains access to COVID vaccines through health insurance, but may lower immunization rates due to potential doubts raised about vaccine safety.

Source

Experts preemptively expressed concern about an expected announcement by RFK Jr, stating that autism spectrum disorder is not caused by a single factor, specifically addressing potential shaming of mothers who took Tylenol during pregnancy.

Source

President Trump warned pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol due to potential links to autism.

Source

A majority of Americans (54%) disapprove of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s performance as Secretary of Health and Human Services, with 33% in approval. Confidence in medical information cited by Kennedy Jr. is low, with 57% expressing little to no confidence.

Source

The FDA will conduct a review of abortion pills, potentially leading to restrictions on medication abortion, which is used in nearly two-thirds of abortions nationwide. This could impact access to abortion in states with bans, where medication abortion is often the primary method used due to telehealth appointments and shield laws.

Source

The US Department of Health and Human Services terminated nearly $500M in mRNA vaccine research contracts, but the US military continues to fund similar research, prioritizing vaccines for deadly pathogens like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. This split in funding threatens national and global readiness for emerging infectious threats.

Source

The FDA unexpectedly approved a medication, Leucovorin, to treat autism, despite not following the usual approval process, raising concerns of political interference. The decision was made during a public event where the President linked acetaminophen to autism, a claim not supported by most researchers. The approval is based on small trials suggesting improved verbal communication in autism patients.

Source

The Trump administration is considering changes to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to include children with neurological issues, potentially including autism, by broadening the definition of encephalopathic events or neurological injuries.

Source

The ACIP removed the combined MMRV vaccine from the childhood schedule after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. purged the committee. This decision may cause the Vaccines for Children program to stop covering the vaccine, potentially undermining vaccination progress and exacerbating health inequities for low-income kids.

Source

October

A former CDC official, Debra Houry, expressed concern that the agency’s leadership under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a “hostile takeover,” citing restrictions on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, removal of vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and the combined MMRV vaccine, and promotion of unproven treatments during measles outbreaks.

Source

The CDC adopted an individual-based COVID-19 vaccination approach and replaced the combined MMRV shot with a standalone varicella vaccine, citing reduced risk of febrile seizures in toddlers.

Source

The Trump administration’s mass layoffs of 600 CDC employees, despite rescinding some termination notices, left offices handling injury prevention, health statistics, and congressional liaison without staff. The layoffs were condemned by unions as an abuse of power, potentially undermining public health capabilities.

Source

The House Energy & Commerce Committee condemned the alleged illegal layoffs of thousands of public health employees during the government shutdown, citing a court-issued restraining order and demanding answers from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Source

The FDA withheld the names of medications produced in contaminated factories, keeping the information secret from the public, despite a lack of specific requirement to do so. This decision prevented doctors and patients from knowing if their medications were tainted, potentially ineffective or unsafe. The FDA cited a law protecting trade secrets as justification, but patient safety advocates argue this should not include redacting drug names.

Source

A federal judge in Hawaii ruled the FDA unlawfully restricted access to mifepristone, a medication for abortions and miscarriage management, by imposing certification requirements and counseling forms without scientific justification. The judge found the FDA’s 2023 decision to maintain these restrictions was unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling does not immediately lift the restrictions.

Source

The FDA restricted the use of fluoride supplements for children under 3 and those at low risk of tooth decay, citing limited benefits and potential health concerns such as gut issues, weight gain, and cognitive effects.

Source

October 31, 2025 - FDA Restricts Unapproved Fluoride Drug Products for Children

The FDA announced it will take action against companies marketing unapproved fluoride products for children, citing lack of evidence for their effectiveness and potential harm to the gut microbiome.

Source

November

The head of the FDA’s drug center, Dr. George Tidmarsh, resigned after federal officials investigated “serious concerns” about his personal conduct, prompting a review by the Department of Health and Human Services. The resignation occurred amid a lawsuit alleging Tidmarsh made false statements while at the FDA.

Source

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called on global health authorities to remove mercury-based preservative thiomersal from all vaccines, citing safety concerns, following the US’s July ban on its use in influenza vaccines.

Source

The Trump administration ordered Medicaid programs to verify immigration status of potentially ineligible recipients, sending states lists of suspected individuals. This move led to states reviewing and potentially refunding millions of dollars in Medicaid funds spent on ineligible recipients. Concerns arise regarding potential coercion and centralization of power.

Source

All 50 US states applied for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, aiming to improve access to care and invest in rural infrastructure, workforce development, and innovative care delivery.

Source

Public health workers and allies marched to HHS headquarters demanding the resignation of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over “unlawful, unilateral vaccine changes.” This comes as APHA and other organizations are suing Kennedy, citing concerns about vaccine policy.

Source

HHS launched the GENEROUS Medicaid model, allowing states to purchase certain drugs at international prices, aiming to lower spending and standardize coverage. The model is intended to provide consistent coverage standards across states.

Source

The Trump administration is reviewing the childhood vaccine schedule, sparking concern among public health experts who see it as a potential threat to vaccination efforts.

Source

The FDA removed “black box” warnings on hormone replacement therapy for menopause, easing concerns about cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and dementia, but retained a warning about endometrial cancer.

Source

Dr. Richard Pazdur was appointed director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the FDA, a position he previously held as founding director of the Oncology Center of Excellence.

Source

December

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {HHS {Under} {RFK} {Jr.:} {Centralization,} {Corruption,} and
    {Censorship}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-04-06},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/04/decline-of-hhs-rfk-jr-censorship-subversion.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “HHS Under RFK Jr.: Centralization, Corruption, and Censorship.” InfoEpi Lab, April. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/04/decline-of-hhs-rfk-jr-censorship-subversion.html.
]]> Censorship Public Health Health Security HHS Tracker https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/04/decline-of-hhs-rfk-jr-censorship-subversion.html Sun, 06 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT CDC Clone Site, Rife with False Vaccine Claims, Hosted by Group Previously Led by HHS Secretary E. Rosalie Li https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/cdc-imposter.html Updated March 22, 20251

Overview

A CDC clone website is filled with false and misleading vaccine claims against a backdrop of false balance. An NGO led by the current HHS Secretary until December 2024 is hosting content for the CDC clone. The domain realcdc[.]org currently redirects to this CDC clone, which is staged on chdstaging[.]org.

The site uses CDC logos, real CDC social media links, and authoritative language, raising serious legal concerns under federal impersonation statutes. This deceptive staging site risks misleading parents, undermining public trust, and even violating federal law.

It also raises an inevitable critical question: Is the HHS Secretary aware of the site, and if so, how will he address this conflict of interest and take action on an apparent effort to impersonate a federal agency?

An Imposter Uncovered

Side-by-side comparison of the two websites shows the similarites.
Figure 1: A side-by-side comparison of the two websites shows the similarities.

The domain realcdc[.]org, registered on January 23, 2025, is being managed through the same Cloudflare account as Children’s Health Defense (CHD), a group known for promoting false and misleading vaccine information. Evidence indicates that CHD is preparing to launch a site designed to imitate official CDC web pages. The staging site at cdc.chdstaging[.]org uses CDC logos, formatting, and language to lend false credibility to content that questions vaccine safety.

It presents misleading scientific claims and testimonials from alleged parents describing vaccine injuries. A prolific threat intelligence researcher, Kyle Ehmke, made the initial discovery just days after the domain was registered. He followed up later about the website’s activity.

  • Domain Registration: realcdc[.]org was registered on January 23, 2025.

  • Hosting: Managed via the same Cloudflare nameservers (max and elisabeth) as the CHD domain childrenshealthdefense[.]org. There are tens of thousands of domains on each nameserver, so this alone is inconclusive.

  • Staging Site Observations:

    • Visual identity mirrors CDC style.
    • Pages push discredited links between vaccines and autism.
    • Parent testimonial videos mimic real public health testimony videos.
    • URL identified: cdc.chdstaging[.]org.
    • Videos featured in the gallery are all hosted by Children’s Health Defense.

  • Current Status: realcdc[.]org is not yet active but could go live in coordination with future public health campaigns or major vaccination efforts. It currently redirects to cdc.chdstaging[.]org.

  • Shared Infrastructure: All three domains, childrenshealthdefense[.]org, chdstaging[.]org, and realcdc[.]org share the same Cloudflare host.

Parental Testimony Videos

The website features a gallery of testimonial videos hosted by Children’s Health Defense, which strongly suggests a connection to CHD. This is especially so in light of the websites’ shared infrastructure. An archive of the full page can be found here: Archived Parental Testimonies.

Screenshot of the “Parental Testimonies” section. Children’s Health Defense hosts videos in this section.
Figure 5: Screenshot of the “Parental Testimonies” section. Children’s Health Defense hosts videos in this section.

Examples of videos on the “Real CDC” page that Children’s Health Defense hosts:

The parental testimonies on this website function as emotional anchors, reinforcing the vaccine-autism narrative despite contradicting the robust evidence cited in the report. They exploit the natural overlap of vaccination and autism onset ages, a coincidence long clarified by science, to suggest causality where none exists.

While the report gives the impression of striving for balance—acknowledging both sides—the testimonies tip toward advocacy, amplifying distrust and aligning with known hoaxes and false claims (Wakefield).

The video titles suggest content that might resonate with parents seeking answers for ASD’s rise, but without substantiation, they remain stories. The scientific consensus, reinforced by the website’s stronger sources, holds vaccines do not cause autism, and these testimonies reflect perception, not reality.

Full Report

References

Footnotes

  1. This article was updated on March 22, 2025 to correct and clarify: “Managed via the same Cloudflare accounts (max and elisabeth) as the CHD domain childrenshealthdefense[.]org.” now reads, “Managed via the same Cloudflare nameservers (max and elisabeth) as the CHD domain childrenshealthdefense[.]org. There are tens of thousands of domains on each nameserver, so this alone is inconclusive.”↩︎

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{li2025,
  author = {Li, E. Rosalie},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {CDC {Clone} {Site,} {Rife} with {False} {Vaccine} {Claims,}
    {Hosted} by {Group} {Previously} {Led} by {HHS} {Secretary}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-03-21},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/cdc-imposter.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Li, E. Rosalie. 2025. “CDC Clone Site, Rife with False Vaccine Claims, Hosted by Group Previously Led by HHS Secretary.” InfoEpi Lab, March. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/cdc-imposter.html.
]]> Vaccines Public Health Health Security https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/cdc-imposter.html Fri, 21 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT Aid, Trade, & Shade: China’s USAID Ambitions E. Rosalie Li https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/aid-trade-shade-china-usaid.html The suspension of USAID operations has created a vacuum in global development assistance. China appears to be filling this void using state-controlled development, humanitarian aid, educational programs, and influence campaigns to strengthen its geopolitical standing. 

China’s post-USAID strategy is multifaceted. It combines hard investment in infrastructure and development with soft-power operations. The approach prioritizes regional dominance, ideological alignment, and the suppression of independent monitoring. 

Partnerships in regions like the Cook Islands, Cambodia, and Rwanda are not just humanitarian; they are long-term positioning plays for resource control (deep-sea mining, agriculture, and health infrastructure). 

Human rights monitors and China watchers have reported being approached by individuals who are understood to represent China with funding offers. Accepting the aid would require them to cease public criticism of China.

 China—along with Russia, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia—has used allegations about foreign-funded influence to discredit and, in some cases, investigate independent groups and media organizations. This appears to be a case of political adoption, where actors seize upon advantageous claims from elsewhere. China’s intimidation of individuals abroad has only been emboldened by USAID’s retreat.

While it’s unclear exactly how much of this funding has been cut permanently, the damage is already visible, and key partners, like Australia, are worried. Organizations have been forced to lay off employees or shut down entirely. The situation is not simply about China filling gaps left by the United States. 

The Cook Islands, through Dean Yarrall, vice chairperson of the Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance, expressed concern and disappointmentover USAID’s abrupt shutdown. He emphasized that USAID had been a significant regional supporter and that its sudden withdrawal created a vacuum. He pointed out growing competition for influence in the Pacific, mentioning China and Australia, and highlighted that the U.S. stepping back could have serious geopolitical consequences.

China’s expansion continues regardless of U.S. presence but is now advancing against U.S. withdrawal. The contrast is sharper because the United States had planned to confront these challenges directly through what is now a gutted agency.

The 2025 USAID budget outlined:

  • $2.1 billion in discretionary funding for regional partnerships, governance, and security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

  • $2 billion in mandatory funding over five years to promote economic stability and democratic institutions.

  • $400 million for the Countering the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Influence Fund to address specific PRC behaviors and strengthen U.S. allies’ resilience to coercion.

  • $4.1 billion for programming aligned with the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), aimed at advancing strategic infrastructure in priority sectors, including climate, health security, digital connectivity, transportation, and agriculture.

  • $250 million for the PGII Fund to respond to urgent infrastructure needs, remove barriers, and build consortiums to compete for global projects.

  • $2 billion over five years for an International Infrastructure Fund (IIF) designed to offer credible alternatives to the PRC’s state-directed infrastructure financing.

Examples of programs countering Chinese influence:

  • USAID’s role in helping a Western consortium outbid China for control of the Lobito Corridor, securing access to critical minerals and blocking Beijing from monopolizing a key supply chain that would have granted strategic leverage over global markets.

  • USAID advanced plans and allocated funding for the Luzon Economic Corridor, an infrastructure initiative linking Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas.

  • USAID supports AidData, which provides critical open-source intelligence on Chinese “hidden debt” and development financing—indispensable for policymakers countering Chinese economic coercion globally.

  • In Palau, USAID funded a second submarine cable free of CCP influence after Chinese vessels were observed threatening existing infrastructure.

What remains is not just a funding vacuum but a diminished presence. China continues to show up—with money, sustained programming, and diplomatic outreach—while the United States steps back. That absence, not just the dollars, is what erodes influence.

Nowhere is this erosion more consequential than in Taiwan. While military deterrence garners headlines, Taiwan’s diplomatic survival depends heavily on relationships built through development partnerships. USAID has been a quiet but critical part of this effort. In 2022, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) formalized cooperation between USAID and Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), focusing on joint development projects in humanitarian aid, climate resilience, and economic development.

With USAID suspended, these countries are more vulnerable to Chinese financial overtures. Paraguay, another key Taiwanese ally in Latin America, has similarly relied on USAID and TaiwanICDF to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as part of broader economic and governance stability efforts. Beijing’s ability to lure Paraguay becomes far more potent without that backing.

Shutting down USAID removes a strategic counterweight to China’s diplomatic isolation campaign against Taiwan. The damage reaches beyond humanitarian disruption—it weakens alliances and undercuts U.S. influence exactly where it is most needed. 


Regional Actions

North America

  • United States: China has begun advertising positions and funding for scientists displaced by funding cuts. Top Chinese universities are aggressively recruiting Chinese undergraduates abroad to skip traditional academic pathways and enrol directly into PhD programmes – as the U.S. tightens funding for graduate studies and geopolitical tensions grow. Analysts say the move reflects a push to lure young academics from the United States.

  • Recent U.S. legislation framed as a national security measure may inadvertently aid China’s efforts by banning Chinese nationals from studying in the United States. While legitimate security concerns exist with some foreign nationals, the opportunity to live and study in the U.S. often helps dispel misconceptions and foster relationships that reduce the likelihood of future conflict. Such legislation is all the more self-defeating when individuals with financial ties to China exercise an outsized influence on the current administration.

Latin America

  • China has significantly increased development assistance throughout Latin America. With 22 signatories to the Belt and Road Initiative in the region, China is actively converting financial support into diplomatic leverage. This approach focuses on infrastructure investment and long-term strategic partnerships.

South and Central Asia

Africa

  • Nigeria: China EXIM and UNICEF collaboration to provide life-saving services to vulnerable children.

  • Ethiopia: A $4 million healthcare contribution to the Africa CDC, in partnership with Korea.

  • Somalia: Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries highlights Chinese training and financial assistance in fisheries management and aquaculture. The country seeks long-term investment to harness its coastline’s potential, with projections of 150,000 metric tons of fish production annually, potentially contributing billions to GDP.

  • Lesotho: Delivery of 810 tons of rice and wheat valued at $1.37 million.

  • Senegal: China Media Group (CMG) hosted a major dialogue in Dakar, Senegal. The event gathered political, business, academic, and media leaders to discuss how Chinese modernization could create new opportunities for Africa. It is part of CMG’s “China in Spring Time: Sharing Opportunities with the World” Global Dialogue series.

The Pacific Islands

Southeast Asia

  • Cambodia: China has stepped in with significant development and demilitarization assistance, including a $4.4 million grant for mine clearance operations and investment proposals for agro-industrial development zones. Notably, the region requires demining due to U.S. military operations.

  • Myanmar: China continues to exert undue influence, especially in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal, via the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

The Middle East

Tibet and Hong Kong

  • Tibet: Education programs are under threat due to the loss of U.S. funding, with China taking advantage of weakened external support.

  • Hong Kong: Chinese authorities have increased their scrutiny of political parties allegedly reliant on foreign funding, reinforcing narratives about foreign interference.

Influence Operations

Chinese state media outlets have churned out negative content framing USAID as a “brainwash machine” and “lie factory” that “gaslit” other countries. Chinese officials have praised President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their actions in “dismantling” USAID. Chinese officials echoed the unsubstantiated claims about “fraud and abuse.”

  • The termination of U.S. support for organizations focused on China has crippled the monitoring of human rights abuses. Some organizations have reported China attempting to fill the funding void, presumably with the expectation that they would cease public criticism.

  • The Chinese state media and official narratives are actively undermining foreign-funded research institutions in countries like Australia, presenting them as fabricators of disinformation.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{li2025,
  author = {Li, E. Rosalie},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {Aid, {Trade,} \& {Shade:} {China’s} {USAID} {Ambitions}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-03-20},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/aid-trade-shade-china-usaid.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Li, E. Rosalie. 2025. “Aid, Trade, & Shade: China’s USAID Ambitions.” InfoEpi Lab, March. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/aid-trade-shade-china-usaid.html.
]]> foreign affairs FIMI Health Security https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/aid-trade-shade-china-usaid.html Thu, 20 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants Arthur Allen https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/mrna-nih-censorship.html National Institutes of Health officials have urged scientists to remove all references to mRNA vaccine technology from their grant applications, two researchers said, in a move that signaled the agency might abandon a promising field of medical research.

The mRNA technology is under study at the NIH for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including flu and AIDS, and also cancer. It was deployed in the development of covid-19 vaccines credited with saving 3 million lives in the U.S. alone — an accomplishment President Donald Trump bragged about in his first term.

A scientist at a biomedical research center in Philadelphia wrote to a colleague, in an email reviewed by KFF Health News, that a project officer at NIH had “flagged our pending grant as having an mRNA vaccine component.”

“It’s still unclear whether mRNA vaccine grants will be canceled,” the scientist added.

NIH officials also told a senior NIH-funded vaccine scientist in New York state, who does not conduct mRNA vaccine research but described its efficacy in previous grant applications, that all references to mRNA vaccines should be scrubbed from future applications.

Scientists relayed their experiences on the condition of anonymity for fear of professional retaliation by the Trump administration.

A senior official at the National Cancer Institute confirmed that NIH acting Director Matthew Memoli sent an email across the NIH instructing that any grants, contracts, or collaborations involving mRNA vaccines be reported up the chain to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s office and the White House.

Memoli sent a similar message ahead of the agency canceling other research, such as studies of vaccine hesitancy.

Memoli’s email on that topic bluntly stated that NIH was not interested in learning why people shun vaccines or in exploring ways to “improve vaccine interest and commitment.”

The National Cancer Institute official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said that “it is reasonable to assume mRNA vaccine work is next.”

The official said a similar memo also went out regarding NIH-funded work in South Africa, which the White House has targeted over false claims that the country’s government is persecuting white people. More recently, another one went out regarding all global research collaborations, the official said.

Spokespeople for the White House, HHS, and the NIH did not respond to requests for comment.

The NIH, whose latest annual budget was $47 billion, is one of the world’s most critical sources of funding for basic biomedical research. Its mission and programs are under unprecedented scrutiny from Trump’s White House and the Department of Government Efficiency, the Elon Musk-led agency created by a Trump executive order that has directed federal agencies to prepare for widespread layoffs.

The NIH is funding at least 130 studies involving the mRNA technology in covid vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna that have been administered to billions of people worldwide.

A former government official familiar with internal discussions said that the Trump administration intends to cut some grants for mRNA vaccine research but that the timing is unclear. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships with the administration.

Political conservatives in the U.S. have promulgated conspiracy theories, unsupported by scientific evidence, that the shots and their relatively new technology are dangerous. This has undermined public support for covid vaccinations and mRNA research.

“There will not be any research funded by NIH on mRNA vaccines,” the scientist in New York said in an interview. “MAGA people are convinced that these vaccines have killed and maimed tens of thousands of people. It’s not true, but they believe that.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of other vaccine-related studies are in limbo. Kawsar Talaat, a vaccine researcher at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, has been waiting since the fall for money needed to recruit subjects for a study of an antidiarrheal vaccine.

“NIH approved our funding,” she said, “and now we’re waiting, and we don’t know if it’s going forward or going to be killed.”

The scientist in Philadelphia signaled that he believes Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, is responsible for the NIH’s turn against mRNA research.

“Kennedy’s war on vaccines has started,” the scientist told his colleague.

The scientist in New York said that it was “ridiculous” to remove mRNA language from the grant applications. But “if my grant is rejected for any reason,” the scientist said, “people in my lab will lose their jobs.”

“I’ve worked with some of them for 20 years,” the scientist added. “They have children and families. There is a real climate of fear in academia about this now, especially among vaccine scientists.”

“My grant does not involve a request for funds to conduct mRNA vaccine experiments,” the scientist said, “so my principal concern was to avoid word-search flags that, at minimum, would lead to delays in any funding.”

While tenured research professors at universities generally receive a salary from their institution, the staffers who work in their labs and offices are often paid through NIH grants. The 2023 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was given to two scientists for developing mRNA vaccines, through work that relied on pharmaceutical companies and on NIH scientists working under infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci.

According to Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who chairs the chamber’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Kennedy promised during his Senate confirmation process that he would protect “the public health benefit of vaccination” and “work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems, and not establish parallel systems.”

Cassidy, a physician, had expressed reservations about confirming Kennedy to the HHS post and challenged his anti-vaccine views during a confirmation hearing. He ended up voting for him, he said, because Kennedy had agreed to work closely with Cassidy and his committee.

However, Kennedy has faced scrutiny in his first weeks in office for his handling of a large measles outbreak among mostly unvaccinated people in Texas that has led to the death of a child, the first U.S. measles death in more than a decade. A patient who tested positive for measles died in New Mexico, but the cause hasn’t been confirmed. Instead of urging vaccination against the disease, an almost surefire way to prevent infection, Kennedy has blamed malnourishment for the outbreak, promoted unproven treatments for measles, and falsely claimed in one Fox News interview that the vaccine is ineffective and even dangerous.

Cassidy did not respond to a request for comment on the NIH’s potential abandonment of mRNA vaccine research.

As part of the Trump administration’s push to examine spending on mRNA vaccines, health officials are reviewing a $590 million contract for bird flu shots that the Biden administration awarded to Moderna, Bloomberg News has reported. Legislation introduced by GOP lawmakers in at least seven states is aimed at banning or limiting mRNA vaccines. In some cases, the measures would hit doctors who give the injections with criminal penalties, fines, and the possible revocation of their licenses.

Stephanie Armour and Céline Gounder contributed to this article.

We’d like to speak with current and former personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies who believe the public should understand the impact of what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please message KFF Health News on Signal at (415) 519-8778 or get in touch here.

Subscribe to KFF Health News’ free Morning Briefing.

This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{allen2025,
  author = {Allen, Arthur},
  publisher = {KFF Health News},
  title = {Scientists {Say} {NIH} {Officials} {Told} {Them} {To} {Scrub}
    {mRNA} {References} on {Grants}},
  journal = {KFF Health News},
  date = {2025-03-16},
  url = {https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/nih-grants-mrna-vaccines-trump-administration-hhs-rfk/},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Allen, Arthur. 2025. “Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants.” KFF Health News, March. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/nih-grants-mrna-vaccines-trump-administration-hhs-rfk/.
]]> public health censorship vaccines https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/mrna-nih-censorship.html Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT A New Texas Bill Is Coming After Online Abortion Pills Shefali Luthra https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/texas-abortion-fda.html

This story was originally reported by Shefali Luthra of The 19th. Meet Shefali and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy.

The 43-page bill targets tech companies that allow patients to order abortion pills online and nonprofit funds that help them travel out of state for care and gives new power to the state’s attorney general to prosecute abortion providers. Introduced by influential state legislators in the state’s House and Senate and backed by Texas Right to Life, a leading anti-abortion group, this is the most sweeping abortion bill introduced in the state since the fall of Roe v. Wade almost three years ago. 

If passed and signed into law, the measure would introduce civil liabilities for distributors of abortion pills and create a civil liability for “the wrongful death of an unborn child” as a result of taking the medications — and empower the “biological father of the unborn child” to file those civil lawsuits. It would also go after the websites that share information about abortion pills, as well as the financial transaction companies that facilitate people paying to order abortion medications. 

And it would make it a felony to help someone cover the costs of receiving an abortion, including helping pay for them to travel out of state for care.

“This is a multipronged attack on abortion pills and from a lot of different angles,” said Greer Donley, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh and expert on medication abortion law. 

It will almost certainly be challenged in court if it becomes law. Still, the impact could be tremendous. Despite the proliferation of abortion bans across the country — including in Texas, the second-largest state, and the first to effectively ban abortion early in pregnancy, the result of a six-week abortion ban it enacted months before Roe’s fall — the number of abortions performed in America is higher than ever. That’s thanks in no small part to the growing practice of health care providers mailing abortion pills, a medically safe and effective regimen, to patients in states where the procedure is banned. 

The workaround has been made possible in part by a collection of statutes known as “shield laws.” Such laws have been enacted in a handful of liberal-leaning states and are meant to protect doctors and other health professionals who provide virtual care, including abortion, to patients living under bans. Thousands of patients each month have been able to access abortion medication through shield laws, according to the Society of Family Planning. The largest share of those patients are in Texas.

Abortion opponents have repeatedly attempted to halt the telehealth practice, but without success. 

They have argued in court that the one of the medications used to induce abortions, mifepristone, should be removed from the market altogether, despite decades of evidence supporting its use. Senate Republicans have pressed nominees to President Donald Trump’s Cabinet to commit to reviewing and possibly restricting the use of abortion medication. Some have called for leveraging a 19th century anti-obscenity law called the Comstock Act — dormant for decades but never repealed — to outlaw the mailing of these pills. The notion that the Comstock Act could in fact outlaw mailing abortion pills is controversial and is a legal argument the previous presidential administration rejected.

Earlier this year, Texas Attorney General Kan Paxton stepped in, filing civil charges against Dr. Maggie Carpenter, a New York-based doctor who allegedly mailed abortion pills to a woman in Texas. Carpenter was fined $100,000 by a Texas court, but New York, one of the states to enact a shield law, is expected to try to block enforcement of that ruling. The case will likely play out over months if not years.

Meanwhile, Trump himself has done little on abortion policy in his first two months in office, and abortion opponents have backed away from pressing for him to endorse national restrictions. In that vacuum, the Texas bill could be the most meaningful legislative proposal in any state this year to block telehealth abortion— an area the state’s anti-abortion activists have labeled as a top priority.

“The bill that we are working on is a response to the new tactics we’ve seen to promote illegal activity,” said John Seago, head of Texas Right to Life. “This is not sustainable just as far as health policy goes.”

The bill also establishes a state-based version of the Comstock Act, making it a state crime if anyone “commits or conspires to commit” a violation of that law by mailing materials intended for an abortion. 

The Texas legislature adjourns in the beginning of June, meaning the state government has just about two-and-a-half months to debate the bill. If it passes and is signed into law—as it almost certainly would be, given the governor’s vocal opposition to abortion and the legislature’s heavy Republican majority — it would take effect September 1. 

A law like this could have an effect well beyond Texas, noted Mary Ziegler, an expert in abortion law at the University of California Davis, particularly because of its provisions targeting the internet-based distribution of abortion pills.

“If the bill worked it would be a lot harder to find information about abortion online in Texas and potentially everywhere else,” she said. “There’s no internet in Texas versus elsewhere. The internet is the same everywhere.”

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{luthra2025,
  author = {Luthra, Shefali},
  publisher = {The 19th},
  title = {A {New} {Texas} {Bill} {Is} {Coming} {After} {Online}
    {Abortion} {Pills}},
  journal = {The 19th},
  date = {2025-03-14},
  url = {https://19thnews.org/2025/03/texas-bill-abortion-pills/},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Luthra, Shefali. 2025. “A New Texas Bill Is Coming After Online Abortion Pills.” The 19th, March. https://19thnews.org/2025/03/texas-bill-abortion-pills/.
]]> public health https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/03/texas-abortion-fda.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT BRIEF: Review of HHS Agenda under RFK Jr. E. Rosalie Li https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/21-hhs-rfkjr-agenda-review.html The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) announcement, championed by RFK Jr., claims to address major health crises but leans heavily on misleading implications, decontextualized claims, and conspiracy-tinged rhetoric. Although it spotlights genuine concerns, such as chronic disease and medication use, its framing guides the audience to see the same drivers as RFK Jr. has suggested.

The order repeats common claims that misrepresent facts about autism, chronic illness, and pharmaceuticals. The omission of critical context leaves the audience to connect conditions to unrelated events. Many of the approaches RFK Jr. and other “wellness” influencers appear to use overlap with methods used by private industries and state actors to influence the public.

Age-old tactics perfected by the tobacco industry, such as casting doubt on sound science while never proving anything and implying conflicts of interest where none exist, are all too familiar.

Most troubling is the way this announcement sidesteps well-documented causes of poor health outcomes among children in the U.S. Child poverty is a major driver of childhood illness and worse outcomes later in life.

We have decades of research, both in public health and economics, that show how poverty is associated with poor health throughout children’s lives. The strength of the evidence is just overwhelming.

For example, pregnant women living in poverty have less access to health care, healthy food, and other key health influences. Research tells us that when their children are born, those kids end up less healthy.

After birth, kids who are living in poverty are more likely to endure less safe, less clean neighborhoods, and lack access to high quality health care and nutrition. These deficits make it harder to do well in school, to get good jobs, and on it goes. The hardships suffered by these children are due in part to the intergenerational transmission of poverty—and as a result the cycle is likely to continue for their own kids.

— Jeff Sobotko, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

As a wealthy nation, allowing children to live in poverty is a choice. Instead of addressing that, this order foreshadows a grim outlook. We may expect sensationalist theories that waste money, the re-litigation of extensively studied questions, and misleading presentation of data and statistics that cast doubt in the minds of an increasing number of US citizens.

The annotated executive order can be seen below.

Policy Commentary

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{li2025,
  author = {Li, E. Rosalie},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {BRIEF: {Review} of {HHS} {Agenda} Under {RFK} {Jr.}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-02-21},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/21-hhs-rfkjr-agenda-review.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Li, E. Rosalie. 2025. “BRIEF: Review of HHS Agenda Under RFK Jr.” InfoEpi Lab, February. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/21-hhs-rfkjr-agenda-review.html.
]]> public health hhs tracker health security https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/21-hhs-rfkjr-agenda-review.html Fri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT DATABASE: State of the State InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/state-of-state.html

Dashboard Overview

Warning

This is a WORKING database, meaning the schema, documentation, and processes are not yet finalized. The implications field has been filled using AI. Please read them in full and verify any claims.

This dashboard provides an evolving analysis of government actions and institutional integrity based on court filings, press releases, and publicly available data. When a DOI and repository are available in our Dataverse, it will be added here.

While the methodology is still developing, clear trends are emerging. Court cases frequently involve financial disputes, particularly with the Department of Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management. USAID also appears often in filings, reflecting its central role in global supply chains and widespread program terminations.

The dashboard also tracks government attempts to control public discourse, defined as censorship when officials or agencies influence speech through coercion, mandates, or financial incentives. Common targets include scientific and health-related content, with agencies like the FDA, CDC, and DHHS instructed to modify public statements, alter data, and adjust official language.

To systematically assess government actions, we are developing a codebook that will eventually be public. It categorizes threats to political rights, civil liberties, corruption and transparency, and institutional integrity. Variables such as executive overreach, judicial independence, election security, media freedom, and misuse of public resources are coded as either present or absent based on available evidence.

This framework enables a structured evaluation of governance risks, helping identify patterns in how institutions operate, where potential overreach occurs, and how transparency is maintained or eroded over time.

Submit an Action

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {DATABASE: {State} of the {State}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-02-09},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/state-of-state.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “DATABASE: State of the State.” InfoEpi Lab, February. https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/state-of-state.html.
]]> data governance https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/02/state-of-state.html Sun, 09 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT BRIEF: Vaccine Skepticism and Bird Flu Narratives, Implications for Public Trust InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/01/31-vaccine-rates-bird-flu-misinformation.html Public trust in government health institutions has significantly declined over the past few years, with partisan divides driving much of this skepticism. Recent polls show that trust in agencies like the CDC and FDA has fallen, while trust in individual doctors—historically the most trusted health information source—has also decreased.1

These trends highlight a growing crisis in public confidence, particularly as misinformation continues to shape attitudes toward vaccines and public health measures.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vaccine Hesitancy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent Senate hearings have reignited debates over vaccine safety and efficacy. Kennedy, nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has a long history of raising doubts about vaccines. Despite framing his position as pro-safety, his rhetoric has fueled hesitancy among parents. Majorities, regardless of party, still support vaccine requirements in schools.

The latest data reveals that 17% of parents report delaying or skipping childhood vaccines, an increase from previous years, with Republican-leaning parents driving this trend.

Persistent myths, like the false claim that MMR vaccines cause autism, continue to play a significant role in shaping parental decisions.

  • Parents who believe or are open to believing this myth are four times more likely to delay or skip vaccines for their children.

  • The erosion of confidence in established vaccine science poses serious risks to public health and childhood immunization rates. We have three locations in the US with measles and one with whooping cough.2

Misinformation About Bird Flu Vaccines

As bird flu outbreaks raise concerns, misinformation about vaccine efforts spreads rapidly online. Misrepresented data about bird flu vaccines, such as claims of high mortality rates during clinical trials, has fueled skepticism. Narratives opposing mRNA-based vaccines and public health measures are gaining traction, with some users linking bird flu vaccines to perceived harms from COVID-19 vaccines.

Broader Implications of Health Misinformation

These trends reflect deeper psychological and systemic issues. Research shows that individuals motivated by a desire for power and influence are likelier to share false or misleading information online. This behavior amplifies misinformation, creating challenges for health communicators and policymakers.

Compounding the issue, fraudulent research papers have infiltrated repositories used to train AI models, including large language models. Such inaccuracies can perpetuate false claims, particularly in sensitive areas like vaccine safety. With AI tools increasingly used to disseminate health information, ensuring the accuracy of training datasets is critical to preventing further erosion of public trust.

Footnotes

  1. The main source for this article is the January 30 report from KFF: Washington, Irving, and Hagere Yilma. 2025. “Skepticism About Vaccines and Response to Bird Flu — The Monitor.” KFF. January 30, 2025. https://www.kff.org/the-monitor/skepticism-about-vaccines-and-response-to-bird-flu/.↩︎

  2. There are multiple vaccine-preventable outbreaks in the US right now.

    - 2025/01/21 • Two Counts of Measles Exposure Confirmed in Snohomish County • Snohomish County Health Department • The Snohomish County Health Department has confirmed at least two incidents of residents being exposed to measles following a confirmed case in an adult who traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport while infectious.

    - 2025/01/30 • Houston Hit by Measles Outbreak as Texas Health Officials Warn Against • Hoodline • Houston has been hit with a minor measles outbreak, marking the return of the disease to Texas since two years ago, with health officials pointing fingers at declining vaccination rates as the culprit.

    - 2025/01/30 • DPH Confirms Measles Case in Metro Atlanta • Georgia Department of Public Health • The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident.

    - 2025/01/30 • Health officials report a whooping cough outbreak involving Jenkins Middle School students • KRDO • Students and staff at Jenkins Middle School are facing a whooping cough outbreak following previous school disruptions due to structural concerns.↩︎

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {BRIEF: {Vaccine} {Skepticism} and {Bird} {Flu} {Narratives,}
    {Implications} for {Public} {Trust}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2025-01-31},
  url = {https://infoepi.substack.com/p/brief-vaccine-skepticism-and-bird-flu},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2025. “BRIEF: Vaccine Skepticism and Bird Flu Narratives, Implications for Public Trust.” InfoEpi Lab, January. https://infoepi.substack.com/p/brief-vaccine-skepticism-and-bird-flu.
]]> brief infodemiology vaccines public health https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/01/31-vaccine-rates-bird-flu-misinformation.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT 1 in 6 Congresswomen Targeted by AI-Generated Sexually Explicit Deepfakes Barbara Rodriguez Jasmine Mithani https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/12/11-deepfake-targeting-congress-women.html

More than two dozen members of Congress have been the victims of sexually explicit deepfakes — and an overwhelming majority of those impacted are women, according to a new study that spotlights the stark gender disparity in this technology and the evolving risks for women’s participation in politics and other forms of civic engagement.

The American Sunlight Project (ASP), a think tank that researches disinformation and advocates for policies that promote democracy, released findings on Wednesday that identified more than 35,000 mentions of nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) depicting 26 members of Congress — 25 women and one man — that were found recently on deepfake websites. Most of the imagery was quickly removed as researchers shared their findings with impacted members of Congress.

“We need to kind of reckon with this new environment and the fact that the internet has opened up so many of these harms that are disproportionately targeting women and marginalized communities,” said Nina Jankowicz, an online disinformation and harassment expert who founded The American Sunlight Project and is an author on the study.

Nonconsensual intimate imagery, also known colloquially as deepfake porn though advocates prefer the former, can be created through generative AI or by overlaying headshots onto media of adult performers. There is currently limited policy to restrict its creation and spread.

ASP shared the first-of-its-kind findings exclusively with The 19th. The group collected data in part by developing a custom search engine to find members of the 118th Congress by first and last name, and abbreviations or nicknames, on 11 well-known deepfake sites. Neither party affiliation nor geographic location had an impact on the likelihood of being targeted for abuse, though younger members were more likely to be victimized. The largest factor was gender, with women members of Congress being 70 times more likely than men to be targeted.

ASP did not release the names of the lawmakers who were depicted in the imagery, in order to avoid encouraging searches. They did contact the offices of everyone impacted to alert them and offer resources on online harms and mental health support. Authors of the study note that in the immediate aftermath, imagery targeting most of the members was entirely or almost entirely removed from the sites — a fact they’re unable to explain. Researchers have noted that such removals do not prevent material from being shared or uploaded again. In some cases involving lawmakers, search result pages remained indexed on Google despite the content being largely or entirely removed.  

“The removal may be coincidental. Regardless of what exactly led to removal of this content — whether ‘cease and desist’ letters, claims of copyright infringement, or other contact with the sites hosting deepfake abuse — it highlights a large disparity of privilege,” according to the study. “People, particularly women, who lack the resources afforded to Members of Congress, would be highly unlikely to achieve this rapid response from the creators and distributors of AI-generated NCII if they initiated a takedown request themselves.”

According to the study’s initial findings, nearly 16 percent of all the women who currently serve in Congress — or about 1 in 6 congresswomen — are the victims of AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery.

Jankowicz has been the target of online harassment and threats for her domestic and international work dismantling disinformation. She has also spoken publicly about being the victim of deepfake abuse — a fact she found out through a Google Alert in 2023.

“You can be made to appear in these compromised, intimate situations without your consent, and those videos, even if you were to say, pursue a copyright claim against the original poster, — as in my case — they proliferate around the internet without your control and without some sort of consequence for the people who are amplifying or creating deepfake porn,” she said. “That continues to be a risk for anybody who is in the public eye, who is participating in public discourse, but in particular for women and for women of color.”

Image-based sexual abuse can have devastating mental health effects on victims, who include everyday people who are not involved in politics — including children. In the past year, there have been reports of high school girls being targeted for image-based sexual abuse in states like California, New Jersey and Pennslyvania. School officials have had varying degrees of response, though the FBI has also issued a new warning that sharing such imagery of minors is illegal.

The full impact of deepfakes on society is still coming into focus, but research already shows that 41 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 29 self-censor to avoid online harassment.

“That is a hugely powerful threat to democracy and free speech, if we have almost half of the population silencing themselves because they’re scared of the harassment they could experience,” said Sophie Maddocks, research director at the Center for Media at Risk at the University of Pennsylvania.

There is no federal law that establishes criminal or civil penalties for someone who generates and distributes AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery. About a dozen states have enacted laws in recent years, though most include civil penalties, not criminal ones.

AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery also opens up threats to national security by creating conditions for blackmail and geopolitical concessions. That could have ripple effects on policymakers irrespective of whether they’re directly the target of the imagery.

“My hope here is that the members are pushed into action when they recognize not only that it’s affecting American women, but it’s affecting them,” Jankowicz said. “It’s affecting their own colleagues. And this is happening simply because they are in the public eye.”

Image-based sexual abuse is a unique risk for women running for office. Susanna Gibson narrowly lost her competitive legislative race after a Republican operative shared nonconsensual recordings of sexually explicit livestreams featuring the Virginia Democrat and her husband with The Washington Post. In the months after her loss, Gibson told The 19th she heard from young women discouraged from running for office out of fear of intimate images being used to harass them. Gibson has since started a nonprofit dedicated to fighting image-based sexual abuse and an accompanying political action committee to support women candidates against violations of intimate privacy.

Maddocks has studied how women who speak out in public are more likely to experience digital sexual violence.

“We have this much longer, ‘women should be seen and not heard’ pattern that makes me think about Mary Beard’s writing and research on this idea that womanhood is antithetical to public speech. So when women speak publicly, it’s almost like, ‘OK. Time to shame them. Time to strip them. Time to get them back in the house. Time to shame them into silence.’ And that silencing and that shaming motivation … we have to understand that in order to understand how this harm is manifesting as it relates to congresswomen.” 

ASP is encouraging Congress to pass federal legislation. The Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024, also known as the DEFIANCE Act, would allow people to sue anyone who creates, shares or receives such imagery. The Take It Down Act would include criminal liability for such activity and require tech companies to take down deepfakes. Both bills have passed the Senate with bipartisan support, but have to navigate concerns around free speech and harm definitions, which are typical hurdles to tech policy, in the House.

“It would be a dereliction of duty for Congress to let this session lapse without passing at least one of these bills,” Jankowicz said “It is one of the ways that the harm of artificial intelligence is actually being felt by real Americans right now. It’s not a future harm. It’s not something that we have to imagine.”

In the absence of congressional action, the White House has collaborated with the private sector to conceive creative solutions to curb image-based sexual abuse. But critics aren’t optimistic about Big Tech’s ability to regulate itself, given the history of harm caused by its platforms.

“It is so easy for perpetrators to create this content, and the signal is not just to the individual woman being targeted,” Jankowicz said. “It’s to women everywhere, saying, ‘If you take this step, if you raise your voice, this is a consequence that you might have to deal with.’”

If you have been a victim of image-based sexual abuse, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative maintains a list of legal resources.

This article was originally published on The Markup and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@online{rodriguez2024,
  author = {Rodriguez, Barbara and Mithani, Jasmine},
  publisher = {markup},
  title = {1 in 6 {Congresswomen} {Targeted} by {AI-Generated}
    {Sexually} {Explicit} {Deepfakes}},
  date = {2024-12-11},
  url = {https://themarkup.org/artificial-intelligence/2024/12/11/1-in-6-congresswomen-targeted-by-ai-generated-sexually-explicit-deepfakes},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Rodriguez, Barbara, and Jasmine Mithani. 2024. “1 in 6 Congresswomen Targeted by AI-Generated Sexually Explicit Deepfakes.” markup. December 11, 2024. https://themarkup.org/artificial-intelligence/2024/12/11/1-in-6-congresswomen-targeted-by-ai-generated-sexually-explicit-deepfakes.
]]> national security online harms artificial intelligence https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/12/11-deepfake-targeting-congress-women.html Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT How Militia Groups Exploit Disasters InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/10/07-militia-groups-exploit-disaster-helene-milton-hurricane-fema.html False claims about FEMA and disaster aid in the U.S. are setting the stage for potential violence in the coming weeks. Hurricane Helene made landfall last week along with a wave of misleading and false claims. This onslaught of consequence-free punditry (for the pundits, anyhow) is harming hurricane victims who are being misled and responders who are subject to the consequences of lies.

Figure 1: Posts receiving some of the highest levels of engagement that contained the word “militia” and FEMA-related words.

The calls for militias and violence are growing more specific with posts about organizing and traveling to the affected region. The preliminary data show X as one of the greatest sources of misleading and false claims.

The delays in aid and added risks for first responders will undoubtedly have harmed hurricane victims already, just as the sensationalist claims during Hurricane Katrina did. As bad as that was, it could get so much worse.

During Hurricane Katrina, most people still sought news from official sources. While not perfect, these sources spread relatively few false claims and issue corrections when they do. That is not the information environment of today. The world abounds with cautionary tales of what can happen.

  • Rumors about aid workers during an Ebola outbreak ended with eight people brutally murdered.

  • In another instance, false images were alleged to show people who had been killed for being Christian. sparking a massacre of civilians, including a young father of fifteen children.

It can happen here. Violent riots have broken out over little more than a false tweet. And like the other locations where information online led to violence in the real world, we have highly polarized groups dealing with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear.

If we continue facing every disaster as we are now, where online pundits extract clicks exploiting human suffering, we will eventually see violence.

X Marks Information Anarchy

Many accounts urging militias to organize also spread false information about Maui and East Palestine. Some have curious histories of strong opinions about Russia and Ukraine. The PRC is ramping up operations targeting the U.S. during disasters. We know that Russia has exploited disasters and anxiety about FEMA. Still, we must not be foolish enough to believe outside agitation explains everything. A much larger issue looms.

Posts containing the word “militia” and FEMA-related words on X/Twitter have had 44.7 million impressions and 7.31 million unique users in the last two weeks, most of which have occurred in the last week.

Posts containing the word “militia” and FEMA-related words on X/Twitter have had 44.7 million impressions and 7.31 million unique users in the last two weeks, most of which have occurred in the last week.

In the U.S., tactics often used by cartels and organized crime elsewhere are creeping in—carefully curated social media feeds portray these groups as defenders of the people, providing aid and engaging in what is known as criminal governance.1 Some videos online are urging people to “self-deploy,” using hurricane victims as a means to mobilize militia types.

Republican and Democratic officials, hurricane victims, as well as NGOs and state agencies, have begged the public to stop with the false claims. Police are having to guard FEMA workers who are being followed, and that, too, takes from resources that could go to victims.

The lies, delays, and dysfunction play into the hands of militia, cartels, and organized criminal groups who attempt to curry favor by delivering aid, maintaining order, and offering an alternative way of life. Here in the U.S., the chronic underfunding of FEMA creates opportunities for violent groups to step in, gain favor with the public, influence elected officials, and build relationships with law enforcement—-whom they may eventually come to view as enemies in many cases.

Feeding the Hand That Bites You

Help in crisis might seem like no big deal. “So what if they are helping?”

That’s precisely the point. If you knew what might come next, you would not welcome it. In the brief instances we’ve seen non-state actors pop up and attempt to play government in the U.S., they began conducting armed searches of disaster victims or interrogating anyone who “isn’t from around here.”

Checkpoints, inspired by false claims on Facebook, led to a massacre of innocent civilians. The situation has grown so dire in Nigeria that they have peacekeeping forces that fact-check false claims before they spiral into violent conflict.

Studies show these unaccountable groups bring violence and crime, which they engage in with impunity at the expense of local populations. The very people these groups once helped sometimes become the ones pressured to sell land at low prices, pay for security, and ignore criminal enterprise. Aid delivery campaigns—heavily promoted in online media—drive recruitment and change public opinion about the group.

In the U.S., we’re choosing to systematically erode the government’s ability to serve people by ignoring warnings and not responding to extreme weather becoming the new normal. In short, this is a problem of lawmakers not responding to the needs of U.S. citizens and misleading them about the cause.

This ensures that when future disasters come, people will be left wanting—and cartels, organized crime, terrorist groups, and violent non-state actors are all too happy to fill that void.

Resources for Disaster Assistance

Tips to Avoid Scams

  • Check official channels: Always rely on government websites, official disaster relief organizations (e.g., FEMA, Red Cross), and local authorities for accurate information. If you’re not sure, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

  • Be cautious of unsolicited contact: Beware of unexpected calls, texts, or emails claiming to offer aid. Scammers often pose as legitimate organizations. People sometimes pose as contractors and take payments before disappearing.

  • Protect sensitive details: Be wary of anyone asking for Social Security numbers, banking information, or other personal details unless it’s a known, verified organization.

  • Use multi-factor authentication: Protect your accounts by enabling multifactor authentication for added security.

  • Crowdfunding caution: Ensure crowd-funding pages (e.g., GoFundMe) are legitimate and from verified sources before donating.

Footnotes

  1. Criminal governance is defined as instances in which armed criminal groups set and enforce rules and provide security and other basic services – such as water, electricity, or internet access – in an urban area, which may be a part (or the whole) of an informal settlement or a neighborhood. (Global Initiative, 2020)↩︎

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2024,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {How {Militia} {Groups} {Exploit} {Disasters}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2024-10-07},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/10/07-militia-groups-exploit-disaster-helene-milton-hurricane-fema.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2024. “How Militia Groups Exploit Disasters.” InfoEpi Lab, October. https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/10/07-militia-groups-exploit-disaster-helene-milton-hurricane-fema.html.
]]> Disaster Public Health FIMI https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/10/07-militia-groups-exploit-disaster-helene-milton-hurricane-fema.html Mon, 07 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT Social Media Narratives and Conspiracy Theories Following the Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump InfoEpi Lab https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/07/14-reactions-to-attack-on-former-president.html In the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Trump, several key observations about social media activity have emerged:

  1. Comparisons and Premonitions:

    • Media outlets like Sputnik Mundo and Spanish RT draw a connection between the attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and the attack on former President Trump. Pro-Kremlin influencers have promoted the idea that these different attempts on the lives of leaders in democratic nations have been related to their attempts to stop NATO from “starting WW3 in Ukraine.”

    • Some comentators also connect it to the assination of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, treating these unconnected events as evidence of coordination and the basis for premonition of future attacks.

    • The speculation often includes warning that specific figures may be in danger such as Hungarian Viktor Orbán. Speculation includes that these figures all have something in common and are therefore connected. One influencer warned that “Elon Musk, Viktor Orbán, Nayib Bukele, and Javier Milei must increase their security detail.”

  2. Language and Platforms:

  3. Conspiracy Theories:

  4. Impact and Potential Violence:

    • The portrayal of these events as connected and part of a broader attack on conservatives creates a perceived coordinated threat, which can be uniting and radicalizing.

    • Violent rhetoric has been increasing on both the far-left and the far-right in the US for the last several years. Scholars have warned recently about the “alarming” trend of dehumanizing dialogue in the US.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{infoepi_lab2024,
  author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
  publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
  title = {Social {Media} {Narratives} and {Conspiracy} {Theories}
    {Following} the {Attempted} {Assassination} of {Former} {President}
    {Trump}},
  journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
  date = {2024-07-14},
  url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/07/14-reactions-to-attack-on-former-president.html},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
InfoEpi Lab. 2024. “Social Media Narratives and Conspiracy Theories Following the Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump.” InfoEpi Lab, July. https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/07/14-reactions-to-attack-on-former-president.html.
]]> news violence FIMI https://infoepi.org/posts/2024/07/14-reactions-to-attack-on-former-president.html Sun, 14 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT