Bill Overview
Title: A bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds for the Disinformation Governance Board of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or support the activities of a Disinformation Governance Board at the Department of Homeland Security.
Sponsors: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by disinformation globally
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill primarily impacts US citizens as it concerns the allocation of US federal funds and governance.
- A Disinformation Governance Board would potentially monitor and counter disinformation within the US, impacting majorly on those who engage with or are subjected to disinformation.
- The bill can have implications on multiple sectors including media, information distribution, and social media platforms, affecting anyone connected with or reliant on these sectors globally.
- If the board aimed at countering foreign disinformation, its absence might indirectly affect international stakeholders in information dissemination.
Reasoning
- The policy does not allocate any federal funds, thus its direct financial impact is negligible. However, the indirect effects could be profound as it influences information regulation.
- The population impacted includes those who consume digital content, especially social media and news platforms, where disinformation might spread.
- Without a Disinformation Governance Board, misleading information may proliferate unchecked, potentially affecting public perceptions and wellbeing.
- People who rely heavily on digital and social media for information may face greater risks from unchecked disinformation, influencing their mental wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Social Media Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having a board to counter disinformation is crucial, especially in today's digital age.
- Without such a board, I worry about the increase in fake news and its impact on my job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Journalist (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The absence of a regulatory board might lead to more fake content spreading without check.
- This could make my job of reporting facts much harder and potentially affect public trust in journalism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Healthcare Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's concerning that misinformation, especially about health, could become more prevalent.
- We need regulation to ensure the public gets accurate information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think a disinformation board could help protect vulnerable individuals from fake news.
- It's important for the new generation to access reliable and factual content.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing free speech with regulation is tricky but necessary.
- While the board's absence is good for innovation, it might also expose people to false information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that without any check, we're more susceptible to false info online.
- This could affect our actions and beliefs in significant ways.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Data Analyst (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A board could help maintain data integrity in the vast sea of information we have today.
- Without oversight, misinformation may skew the reality we see and act upon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Marketing Specialist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lack of regulation can make marketing platforms more susceptible to false claims.
- It's essential for digital marketing to maintain trustworthiness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
High School Principal (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With no board, misinformation might flood young minds unchecked.
- Education alone might not suffice without systemic support to limit disinformation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Developer (Denver, CO)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 19/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think disinformation regulation could limit creativity and expression.
- We should ensure open platforms, although the truth is sometimes hard to discern amidst the noise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary financial implication is the avoidance of potential future costs associated with the Disinformation Governance Board.
- National security might be considered influenced by the board's absence, as it may have been a strategic asset in countering domestic and international disinformation.
- Potential savings can be reallocated to other pressing areas within the Department of Homeland Security.