Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO) – Bias and Credibility

History

The Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO) is a nonprofit organization that aims to promote free speech and combat internet censorship. It was founded by Mike Benz, a former official at the U.S. State Department during the Trump administration. Benz worked on U.S. foreign policy related to international communications and information technology. According to NBC News, he was also a content creator under a pseudonym associated with white nationalism. However, Benz claimed that his previous involvement in controversial forums was part of a “deradicalization project” to which he contributed in a limited manner.

The organization’s primary goals are to safeguard digital liberties by conducting research, providing legal assistance, and analyzing public policy to resist perceived censorship efforts by governments or corporations.

Read our profile on the United States media and government.

Funded By / Ownership

The website lacks transparency as it does not provide clear information about its funding sources or specific ownership, which appears to be Mike Benz. It presents itself as an independent nonprofit advocating for digital freedom. However, there is no transparency regarding the financial contributors or donors that support its operations. Additionally, there is no evidence that it is an official nonprofit organization.

Analysis / Bias

The FFO positions itself as a watchdog for free speech online but leans heavily into critiquing efforts that seek to regulate content for misinformation or disinformation, often portraying these initiatives as censorship. While the organization claims to offer nonpartisan insights, the themes of its reports align with right-leaning libertarian concerns regarding government overreach in content moderation and media control.

FFO’s content frequently critiques fact-checking organizations and mainstream narratives often presenting these actions as thinly veiled attempts at silencing dissent. For instance, it suggests that government and corporate partnerships in media literacy efforts are aimed at stifling political speech rather than preventing misinformation:​ Newsela: The ‘Media Literacy’ Provider Active in 90 Percent of American Schools. This rhetoric aligns with broader right-wing concerns about censorship and can foster skepticism of established fact-checking bodies.

The FFO and Mike Benz do not explicitly promote conspiracy theories on their website. However, they do provide a platform for skepticism regarding official narratives on important issues such as election integrity and misinformation campaigns. The organization’s opposition to mainstream content moderation practices may appeal to audiences who distrust governmental or corporate initiatives to control disinformation. This can sometimes overlap with individuals who engage in conspiracy thinking.

The FFO is generally critical of censorship efforts, especially when they involve fact-checking or content moderation. It often sees these efforts as damaging to free speech. Although it claims to be nonpartisan, its framing and focus on digital freedom issues indicate a right-leaning, libertarian bias.

Failed Fact Checks (FFO – Mike Benz)

• That means the DMV’s registering of illegals to vote is being run by Pete Buttigieg, the former military intelligence officer beloved by our CIA Blob class. – False
• “I told you Taylor Swift was going to be wielded as instrument of statecraft…”  – Conspiracy

Overall, we rate the Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO) as right-biased and Questionable based on its promotion of propaganda, conspiracy theories, failed fact checks, and lack of transparency regarding funding. (D. Van Zandt 10/08/2024)

Source: https://foundationforfreedomonline.com/