Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Not Addressed
The Government should review its work through the Counter Daesh Communications Cell to ensure it...
Recommendation
The Government should review its work through the Counter Daesh Communications Cell to ensure it is producing messaging that appeals to potential recruits. It should also increase efforts to identify credible partners on the ground who are best placed to deliver counter-Daesh narratives. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59) The scale of foreign information manipulation and interference
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focuses on media freedom in Africa, the Media Freedom Coalition, and sanctions against a Russian information operation, completely failing to address the recommendation regarding counter-Daesh communications and identifying partners.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
45. We remain confident that the CounterDaesh Communications Cell (CDCC) continues to make a meaningful contribution through its coordination role within the Global Coalition against Daesh. 46. The FCDO’s CDCC delivers crucial strategic communications campaigns to challenge Daesh and al-Shabaab disinformation narratives. A core objective of the Cell’s work is to reduce vulnerabilities to Daesh radicalisation and recruitment, delivered through a combination of online and on-the-ground interventions. 47. Through this, the CDCC’s strategic communications have successfully supported wider efforts to reduce Daesh’s influence, including as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh. The CDCC has reached audiences in the tens of millions, contributing to a sustained reduction among local communities in support for Daesh, and increasing public trust in legitimate authorities. 48. We are confident that we have established an extensive network of credible partners, enabling us to reach vulnerable communities and deliver targeted communications to strengthen local resilience to Daesh’s disinformation. We will continue to review programme effectiveness and delivery, consistent with FCDO-wide spending frameworks and processes. Further detail on the CDCC’s work with partners can be provided privately to the Committee through appropriate classified channels. This assessment is based on our own monitoring and evaluation of delivery and reflects sustained feedback from external partners who have a high degree of visibility of the CDCC.
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