Dark Money Invades Social Media

"In a private group chat in June, dozens of Democratic political influencers discussed whether to take advantage of an enticing opportunity. They were being offered $8,000 per month to take part in a secretive program aimed at bolstering Democratic messaging on the internet. But the contract sent to them from Chorus, the nonprofit arm of a liberal influencer marketing platform, came with some strings. Among other issues, it mandated extensive secrecy about disclosing their payments and had restrictions on what sort of political content the creators could produce."

"I talked to Taylor about her article and the considerable backlash it provoked from the people she wrote about. We also discussed why Republicans have done so well on social media and why this latest effort is both morally dubious and ineffective. Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. Will you donate today? Onward, Katrina vanden Heuvel Editor and Publisher, The Nation"

A dark-money project funded by anonymous Democratic Party donors sought to shape social media through paid creators. Dozens of Democratic political influencers were offered $8,000 per month to join a secretive program. The program operated through Chorus, the nonprofit arm of a liberal influencer marketing platform. Contracts mandated extensive secrecy about disclosing payments and imposed restrictions on the types of political content creators could produce. The revelation provoked considerable backlash from the targeted creators. Observers noted that Republicans have performed well on social media. The effort raised questions about morality and effectiveness. The Nation solicits subscriptions and donations to support its podcasts.

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