The United States has denied a visa to Clare Melford, head of the UK-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI), as part of a broader initiative against what Washington terms a “global censorship-industrial complex.” The US State Department announced visa restrictions on five individuals, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, whom it accuses of coercing US social media platforms to censor opposing views.
Melford’s GDI operates as a ratings agency, assessing news outlets’ risk of spreading “disinformation” and guiding advertisers to avoid those with low ratings. US officials have criticized the GDI for using taxpayer funds to advocate for censorship, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating the bans aim to confront global agents overstepping US sovereignty.
The GDI has faced criticisms for its controversial ratings and its impact on media outlets like UnHerd, which was placed on a “dynamic exclusion list” due to content considered “gender-critical.” This resulted in UnHerd receiving significantly less advertising revenue than expected, while a rival agency gave it a much higher trust score.
Founded in 2018, the GDI claims to disrupt online disinformation by limiting revenue to offending sites. Critics argue its influence constitutes disproportionate control over the media landscape. Melford’s stance extends the definition of disinformation beyond falsehoods to include content deemed “harmful” or “divisive,” even if factually accurate.
The GDI condemned the US action as an attack on free speech, while others affected by the visa bans expressed their outrage, with Breton labeling it a “witch hunt.”
