The Network Hub
London-based communications service (2017–c.2019) providing bespoke campaign support to European civil-society organisations; operated by Breakthrough Media / Zinc Network personnel under RICU influence; exported the UK “hub” model of deniable counter-narrative production to EU member states via the European Strategic Communications Network
| The Network Hub | |
|---|---|
| Type | Government-funded communications service / network management model |
| Logo | |
| Founded | October 2017 (domain registered 13 October 2017) |
| Founder(s) | |
| Dissolved | |
| Registration ID | |
| Status | |
| Headquarters | London |
| Location | |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | |
| Key people | |
| Website | |
| Remarks | Domain expired October 2019; static two-page site resurrected briefly; model pioneered by Zinc for RICU in the UK and later adapted for Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan and Europe |
The Network Hub was a London-based communications service that provided bespoke campaign support to European civil-society organisations engaged in countering violent extremism. It was established in October 2017 and operated by personnel from Breakthrough Media Network / Zinc Network who simultaneously held roles connected to the European Strategic Communications Network (ESCN) and the UK Home Office’s Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU). The Hub applied the “network management” model that Zinc had pioneered for RICU in the UK, in which campaigns are produced for partner organisations while the involvement of the contractor and RICU is kept confidential.[1]
Origins and model
In 2012 Zinc (then Breakthrough) pioneered a network-management model for RICU, bringing together more than 60 organisations to increase their ability to campaign against extremism. The model was later adapted for network hubs in Bangladesh, Somalia and Pakistan. Internal documents recommended a “sensitive/confidential approach” so that media, data, physical access and documentation would be managed to keep RICU’s involvement in the production of Hub content, and the nature of RICU and Breakthrough’s collaboration, strictly confidential. Content was to be attributable to partner organisations rather than to Breakthrough, the Hub or RICU.[1]
The same model was applied to European work through the ESCN. Staff revolved between Breakthrough/Zinc, the Network Hub and ESCN roles. The Hub’s stated aim was “to build EU collaboration and to sustainably create positive social change in local communities across Europe” by providing “bespoke communication support to European civil society organisations.”[2]
Staff
- Simon Theis Jensen – Creative Director of the Network Hub (October 2017 – April 2019). Previously Creative Director of the ESCN (January 2016 – September 2017) and Head of Art at Breakthrough Media (October 2014 – December 2015). He stated that he “helped initiate, build and run The Network Hub as the first ever government funded communication service to provide bespoke communication support to European civil society organisations.”[2]
- Tony McMahon – Head of Networks at the Network Hub (November 2017 – March 2019) while employed at Breakthrough Media (July 2013 – April 2019). He described building a network of European civil-society groups in France, Germany, the Benelux, Nordic region and southern Europe, and liaising with officials from Interior and Justice ministries. He had previously been involved in developing the original UK hub for RICU.[1]
- Luke Havill – Development Director of the Network Hub (March 2018 – March 2019). Previously Communications Adviser Europe with RICU-I (August 2017 – March 2018) and Head of Consultancy at the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team (January 2016 – August 2017). After the Hub he returned to the ESCN as Head of Advisory Team (April 2019–).[3]
Operations and closure
The domain thenetworkhub.org was registered on 13 October 2017 and expired on 13 October 2019. It was briefly resurrected on 25 October 2019 as a static two-page site stating that the Hub “builds the communications capacity of civil society organisations across Europe from its base in London.” No substantial public content remained. Breakthrough lost its principal Home Office contract in April 2019; McMahon subsequently moved to a consultancy role with REOC Communications (the company of former RICU head Richard Chalk).[1]
The Hub’s work formed part of the broader ESCN effort to export RICU-style campaigns. Internal SSCAT documents (bearing the RICU logo) used UK campaigns such as Faith Associates / Imams Online as models for Swedish civil-society engagement and listed partners such as Sisters Against Violent Extremism (SAVE). ESCN/Hub staff reported working with multiple member states to develop campaign plans and networks of officials and civil-society groups.[1]
See also
- European Strategic Communications Network
- Research, Information and Communications Unit
- Breakthrough Media Network / Zinc Network
- Simon Theis Jensen
- Tony McMahon
- Luke Havill
- Richard Chalk
- Civil Society Empowerment Programme
External links
- David Miller, The Radicalisation Awareness Network (Spinwatch / Public Interest Investigations, February 2022) – Chapter 5
- Simon Theis Jensen LinkedIn (archived)
- Luke Havill LinkedIn (archived)
- The Guardian, 2 May 2016 (“Inside Ricu…”)
- Wayback Machine / GoDaddy records for thenetworkhub.org (domain registered 13 October 2017; expired 13 October 2019)
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 David Miller, The Radicalisation Awareness Network: Policy network in search of an evidence base or covert propaganda platform?, Public Interest Investigations / Spinwatch, February 2022, Chapter 5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 LinkedIn Simon Theis Jensen, archived.
- ↑ LinkedIn Luke Havill, archived.