[inaudible conversations] thank you very much for being here and i particularly want to thank chairman barrasso because he allowed us to have the subcommittee hearing and for me to chai chair if this is a discn thats important to all of us that are here and so many of our colleagues. Information is power today, and we see it all over the globe when its used improperly it is used as a weapon. Democracy requires wellinformed electorate to function properly but to undermine the principle through socalled Disinformation Campaigns designed to mislead voters and in doing so delegitimize the democratic elections. Actors like russia systematically exploit the media and to distort the truth to an unsuspecting populace with regards to the coronavirus and this information is being spread is a high degree and anonymous and again if left unchecked it could be devastatingly effective. I established this organization it could help lead to the global disinformation effort and work with International P
Thats important to all of us that are here and so many of our colleagues. Information is power today, and we see it all over the globe when its used improperly it is used as a weapon. Democracy requires wellinformed electorate to function properly but to undermine the principle through socalled Disinformation Campaigns designed to mislead voters and in doing so delegitimize the democratic elections. Actors like russia systematically exploit the media and to distort the truth to an unsuspecting populace with regards to the coronavirus and this information is being spread is a high degree and anonymous and again if left unchecked it could be devastatingly effective. I established this organization it could help lead to the global disinformation effort and work with International Partners. The Bipartisan Legislation within the state department is now the law and to get it up and going we will hear more about that today but we are pleased that we are making progress. They lead, synchronize
Thank you very much for being here, and i want to thank him because he graciously allowed to have the subcommittee hearing and for me to be able to chair it. This is a discussion really important to so many of us here and so many of our colleagues. Information is power today, and we see it all over the globe when its used improperly, hes used as a weapon. Democracies like ours require a well informed electorate, but our enemies are increasingly trying to undermine that principle through socalled disinformation campaigns designed to mislead voters. Malign actors like russia systematically exploit social media, radio, television, and print to twist facts to suit their needs and distort the truth to an unsuspecting populous. Its not just about elections. We see it today with regard to the coronavirus and misinformation thats being spread. Its an interesting tactic because its inexpensive and yet can be very effective. It has a high degree of deniability. Its anonymous almost always and if
Second. All in favor. Aye. The motion to not to disclose what we discussed in executive session. Second. All in favor. Aye. Onto item 6, pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Item 7 aannouncements. Please be advised the use of cell phones, and pagers and other sound producing electronics are prohibited during the use of this meeting. Please be aware members of the public have up to three minutes to make a Public Comment on each item of the agenda unless otherwise stated. Onto item 8 Public Comment on items not on the agenda today. Is there any Public Comment on items not listed on the agenda . Seeing none, Public Comment is closed. Thank you. Item 9a, executive directors report. Good afternoon members of the public and port staff, im elaine, the ports executive director. The first item is i wanted to report on fleet week, which wa
Second. All in favor. Aye. The motion to not to disclose what we discussed in executive session. Second. All in favor. Aye. Onto item 6, pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Item 7 aannouncements. Please be advised the use of cell phones, and pagers and other sound producing electronics are prohibited during the use of this meeting. Please be aware members of the public have up to three minutes to make a Public Comment on each item of the agenda unless otherwise stated. Onto item 8 Public Comment on items not on the agenda today. Is there any Public Comment on items not listed on the agenda . Seeing none, Public Comment is closed. Thank you. Item 9a, executive directors report. Good afternoon members of the public and port staff, im elaine, the ports executive director. The first item is i wanted to report on fleet week, which wa