Today, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Italy’s Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Italy on countering foreign state information manipulation.
Foreign state information manipulation, which includes disinformation and propaganda, is a transnational security threat that can create or exploit divisions within and among countries, imperil election integrity, and undermine public trust in government. Recognizing that the threat faced requires coordinated action, this memorandum of understanding demonstrates the U.S. and Italian commitment to expand cooperation against foreign disinformation both bilaterally and multilaterally, including through the G7 of which Italy currently holds the presidency. The signing ceremony took place in Capri, Italy, on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, hosted by Italy.
The actions set forth in this MOU are expected to advance a coordinated effort by the United States and Italy to counter the threat of foreign state information manipulation while respecting freedom of expression online and offline. As Allies, partners, and friends, the United States and Italy plan to align policies along the five key action areas established in the U.S. Department of State’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation. This MOU is an important step towards protecting a free, open, and fact-based global information environment.
Official news published at https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-of-america-and-italy-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-to-expand-collaboration-on-countering-foreign-state-information-manipulation/
