Difference between revisions of "Research, Information and Communications Unit"

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{{short description|'''Home Office strategic communications unit within the Homeland Security Group (formerly OSCT); modelled in part on the Information Research Department; principal contractor for covert counter-narrative campaigns via Breakthrough Media/Zinc'''}}
  
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The [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]] ([[RICU]]) is a strategic communications unit within the UK's [[Homeland Security Group]] (formerly called the [[Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism]]). Based in the [[Home Office]] it was (until 2011) also funded by and answerable to the [[Foreign Office]] and the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]].<ref>[http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/science-innovation-strategy09-12/security-business-plan2835.pdf?view=Binary Security and Counter Terrorism Science Business Plan], ''Home Office'', date unknown, see. pp. 8-9, accessed 24.03.10</ref> 
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{{Infobox organization
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| name = Research, Information and Communications Unit
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| abbreviation = RICU
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| type = Government unit / strategic communications
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| founded = 2007
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| status = Active (within Homeland Security Group)
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| headquarters = 2 Marsham Street, London
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| parent_organization = [[Homeland Security Group]] (formerly [[Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism]]), [[Home Office]]
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| purpose = Analyse audience reactions and produce counter-narratives to undermine Al-Qaeda and related ideologies; coordinate government counter-terrorism communications
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| budget = Programme budget rising from ~£2.2m (2008/09) to £5.7m proposed (2009/10); later figures higher but not fully itemised
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| remarks = Part of the UK intelligence community; uses arms-length contractors to produce deniable “products”; staff and contractors have described themselves as “the new IRD”
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}}
  
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==Creation and purpose==
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The '''[[Research, Information and Communications Unit]]''' ('''RICU''') is a strategic communications unit within the UK’s [[Homeland Security Group]] (formerly the [[Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism]]), based in the [[Home Office]]. Until 2011 it was also funded by and answerable to the Foreign Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government. It was created in 2007 to analyse how key audiences (principally Muslim communities) react to government messages and to produce more coherent counter-narratives to the ideology of Al-Qaeda and related groups. Officials have denied it is a propaganda department, though one conceded that “it does sound horribly cold war.” Leaked documents and subsequent reporting show it operates a system of arms-length contractors (notably [[Breakthrough Media Network]], later [[Zinc Network]]) so that “campaign products are never directly attributed to RICU.”<ref name="SundayTimes">Gordon Corera, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2982769.ece Don’t look now, Britain’s real spooks are right behind you] ''The Sunday Times'', 2 December 2007.</ref><ref name="UKColumn1">UK Column, [https://www.ukcolumn.org/article/how-the-british-intelligence-network-of-astroturfed-muslim-civil-society-groups-is-kept How the British Intelligence Network of Astroturfed Muslim Civil Society Groups Is Kept Secret and Deniable].</ref>
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The Sunday Times reported in December 2007 that:
 
  
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:The alleged airline plot in August 2006 caused another of the government’s periodic rethinks. For all the work on pursuing terrorists, the government realised that its strategy on preventing more taking their place was not working. After a bureaucratic tussle, the Home Office has become the centre for a new strategic hub for all counterterrorism policy: the [[Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism|Office of Security and Counter Terrorism]].
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== Creation and purpose ==
  
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:The rethink also led to the creation of the nebulously titled Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU). Officials deny this is in any way a propaganda department, although one conceded: “It does sound horribly cold war.”
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The unit emerged from the post-2006 rethink of Prevent after the alleged airline plot. The Home Office became the centre for a new strategic hub (OSCT), and RICU was established as its communications arm. Its task was described as building and promoting a counter-narrative without the appearance of government propaganda. Richard Mottram argued that this could be done “without it looking like government propaganda, because if it looks too much like government propaganda then I don’t think people are going to listen, nor should they.” RICU is part of the seven agencies and departments that form the UK intelligence community. It was modelled in part on the Information Research Department (IRD), the Cold War covert propaganda unit of the Foreign Office (1948–1977). Ian Cobain reported that some officials treated Frances Stonor Saunders’ ''Who Paid the Piper?'' as a manual rather than a warning, and that after the appointment of Richard Chalk as head in 2012 the unit became more closely modelled on the IRD. Staff and contractors have described themselves as “the new IRD.” Chalk had previously worked for Bell Pottinger on covert propaganda in Iraq under Pentagon and CIA contracts.<ref name="SundayTimes" /><ref name="Guardian2016">Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/inside-ricu-the-shadowy-propaganda-unit-inspired-by-the-cold-war Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war] ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2016.</ref><ref name="UKColumn1" />
  
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:Its task is to analyse the way in which key audiences at home and abroad (in other words, Muslims) react to messages from the government and to try to give more coherence to those messages to undermine the ideology of Al-Qaeda. In the counterterrorist jargon of the day, its job is to build and promote a counter-narrative to the single narrative that Al-Qaeda and its allies propagate. “You can do it without it looking like government propaganda, because if it looks too much like government propaganda then I don’t think people are going to listen, nor should they,” argues [[Richard Mottram|Mottram]].<ref>Gordon Corera [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2982769.ece Don’t look now, Britain’s real spooks are right behind you] The Sunday Times December 2, 2007</ref>
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Dr J. P. Macintosh (then of the Defence Academy’s Advanced Research and Assessment Group) is credited with catalysing the “war room” facility and being instrumental in the creation of OSCT and RICU. Steve Tatham (MoD strategic communications) and Jamie Macintosh (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory / ARAG) are also linked to the early development of the unit’s approach.<ref name="DefenceAcademy">Defence Academy biographical note on Dr J. P. Macintosh.</ref><ref name="UKColumn1" />
  
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== Location of RICU ==
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== Location, size, budget and structure ==
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[[Image:marsham_street.jpg|thumb|right|Home Office Headquarters. Marsham Street, London]]
 
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The RICU is part of the [[Home Office|The Home Office]].<ref>The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from J. Fanshaw to D. Miller) 20, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009. 09:30</ref>
 
  
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The Home Office is located at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
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RICU is based at Home Office headquarters, 2 Marsham Street, London. Staffing grew rapidly: 3 (June 2007), 8 (Sept 2007), 10 (Dec 2007), 12 (Mar 2008), 17 (June 2008), 28 (Sept 2008), 33 including secondees (Dec 2008).
  
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==Size and staffing==
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2008/09 programme budget: £2,172,610 (Home Office £660,000; FCO £810,073; DCLG £702,537). Administration: pay £806,138; non-pay £153,167. 
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According to the Home Office, the total numbers of staff in RICU was as follows:
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2009/10 proposed programme budget: £5,700,000 (Home Office £1.2m; FCO £3m; DCLG £1.5m). Administration: pay £867,000; non-pay £154,000.
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*June 2007- 3
 
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*Sept 2007- 8
 
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*Dec 2007- 10
 
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*Mar 2008- 12
 
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*Jun 2008- 17
 
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*Sept 2008- 28
 
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*Dec 2008- 33 (including secondees).<ref>The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from J. Fanshaw to D. Miller) 20, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009. 09:30</ref>
 
  
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== Budget ==
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As of March 2009 the structure consisted of the Head of Unit and PA overseeing two branches:
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Home Office figures on the cost of RICU are as follows.<ref>The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from J. Fanshaw to D. Miller) 20, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009. 09:30</ref>
 
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===2008/2009 Budget===
 
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====Programme Budget====
 
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*Total: £2,172,610
 
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:*Home Office contribution: £660,000
 
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:*Foreign and Commonwealth Office contribution: £810,073
 
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:*Department of Communities and Local Government contribution: £702,537
 
  
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====Administration Budget====
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* '''Audience Research & Knowledge (ARK) Branch''': Research and Knowledge; Analysis; CONTEST communications; Strategic Development; Specialists (Digital Media, Audience Insight, Information).
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*Pay: £806,138
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* '''External Delivery Branch''': Campaigns; Interventions; News Coordination; Local Communications.<ref name="HOFOI">Home Office Freedom of Information responses to D. Miller, April 2009 (structure, staffing, budget, projects).</ref>
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*Non-Pay: £153,167
 
  
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===2009/2010 Proposed Budget===
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== Activities and methods ==
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====Programme Budget====
 
  
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*Total: £5,700,000
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Early work focused on audience research, language guidance and message testing. RICU issued guidance requiring civil servants to avoid phrases such as “Islamist extremism” or “jihadi-fundamentalist” in favour of “violent extremism,” “criminal murderers” and “thugs.” Projects (2007–2009) included Youth Segmentation, Online Behaviours, Media Consumption, Counter-Terrorism Message Testing, Estimating Network Size and Tracking Information Dissemination Amongst Islamic Blogs, The Language of Terrorism, Credible Voices, and multi-phase Audience Insight studies. Research was contracted to firms including Define Research, Connect Research, TNS and Turnstone, and to academics (including a secondment by David Stevens of Nottingham University).<ref name="HOFOI" />
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:*Home Office contribution: £1,200,000
 
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:*Foreign Commonwealth Office contribution: £3,000,000
 
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:*Department of Communities and Local Government contribution: £1,500,000
 
  
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====Administration Budget====
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From around 2011 RICU shifted toward the production of deniable “products” delivered through contractors. Leaked documents describe a system of four levels of arms-length relations so that campaigns are never directly attributed to RICU. The principal contractor has been Breakthrough Media Network (later Zinc Network), which embeds in “moderate organisations” to influence online conversations and produces campaigns presented as grassroots initiatives. RICU retains contractual editorial control. A 2015 “theory of change” document submitted to the Swedish National Coordinator Against Violent Extremism states that supporting civil-society organisations improves their planning, delivery, funding and communications, thereby reaching more vulnerable young people, reducing radicalisation and promoting democratic values.<ref name="UKColumn2">UK Column, [https://www.ukcolumn.org/article/how-muslim-civil-society-groups-are-astroturfed-into-products-by-british-intelligence How Muslim Civil Society Groups Are Astroturfed into ‘Products’ by British Intelligence].</ref><ref name="UKColumn1" />
  
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*Pay: £867,000
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Documented “RICU products” include:
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*Non-Pay: £154,000
 
  
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== Structure ==
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* '''#MakingAStand''' (Inspire, led by Sara Khan) – women’s network in Prevent priority areas to transmit HMG counter-extremism messages; launched 2014 at RUSI with front-page support from ''The Sun''. Listed in the OSCT March 2015 Prevent Strategy Local Delivery Best Practice Catalogue. Sabin Khan (Sara Khan’s sister) was Deputy Director of RICU.
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* '''Families Matter''' (Families Against Stress and Trauma / FAST, led by Saleha Jaffer) – support campaign with videos; main film viewed over 162,000 times on YouTube by 2015. FAST received Home Office/OSCT funding 2007–2010 and continued close collaboration.
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* Work with Faith Associates (mosque training, ImamsOnline.com, “Keeping Muslims Safe Online” with Facebook), Project Shanaz (ACPO women’s engagement project), and others such as Jan Trust and Active Change Foundation.
  
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As of March 2009, the RICU consists of the Head of Unit and his Personal Assistant. The Head of Unit oversees two branches. Both of the branches has a Deputy Head and separate teams.<ref>The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from J. Fanshaw to D. Miller) 20, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009. 09:30</ref>
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Breakthrough/Zinc presentations emphasise embedding within target communities via a network of moderate organisations. Groups are described as having been productised; funding and support are channelled so that direct government attribution is avoided. The Guardian reported in 2016 that RICU used Breakthrough for the “Help for Syria” campaign, advising on support for Syrian refugees without revealing government involvement.<ref name="Guardian2016" /><ref name="UKColumn2" />
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[[Image:RICU structure.jpg|right|thumb|650px|Home Office diagram of RICU structure released under Freedom of Information Act<ref>The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from J. Fanshaw to D. Miller) 20, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009. 09:30</ref>]]
 
  
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===Audience Research & Knowledge (ARK) Branch===
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== People ==
  
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This branch includes five teams.
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* [[Jonathan Allen]] – established and led RICU from 2007 to April 2009.
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* [[Richard Chalk]] – Head of RICU (from around 2012); previously Bell Pottinger on Iraq covert propaganda.
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* [[Matt Collins]] – Director of Prevent and RICU.
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* [[Peter Wilson]] – Deputy Director / Head of RICU (circa 2017).
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* [[Christopher Wainwright]] – Deputy Director, Strategic Communications (2010–2012).
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* [[Stephen Rimmer]] – Director of Prevent and RICU (circa 2008–2009).
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* Others named in FOI, conference lists or reporting: Andrew Garner, Paul Mott, Michael Nevin (FCO secondment), Paul Smith (ACPO secondment), Paul Drew, Sarah Moore, Debbi Gupta.
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* Contractors and linked personnel: Scott Brown (Managing Director, Breakthrough; previously Bell Pottinger Special Projects in Baghdad and Mogadishu/Nairobi); frequent staff movement between RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc.
  
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#Research and Knowledge: team leader and 2 staff
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Journalists and academics in contact have included Frank Gardner (BBC) and David Stevens (Nottingham, secondment 2007–2008).<ref name="Guardian2016" /><ref name="HOFOI" /><ref name="UKColumn1" />
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#Analysis: team leader and 2 staff
 
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#CONTEST communications: team leader
 
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#Strategic Development: team leader plus 2 staff
 
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#Specialists: Digital Media Specialist, Audience Insight Specialist, Information Specialist
 
  
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===External Delivery Branch===
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== See also ==
  
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This branch includes four teams.
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* [[Breakthrough Media Network]] / [[Zinc Network]]
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* [[Horizon PR]]
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* [[Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism]] / [[Homeland Security Group]]
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* [[Prevent]]
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* [[Information Research Department]]
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* [[Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]
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* [[Inspire]]
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* [[Sara Khan]]
  
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#Campaigns: team leader and 2 staff
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== External links ==
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#Interventions: team leader and 2 staff
 
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#News Coordination: team leader and 4 staff
 
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#Local Communications: team leader and 3 staff
 
  
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All of the above information was provided by the Home Office.<ref>The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from J. Fanshaw to D. Miller) 20, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009. 09:30</ref>
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* [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/inside-ricu-the-shadowy-propaganda-unit-inspired-by-the-cold-war Guardian, May 2016]
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* [https://www.ukcolumn.org/article/how-the-british-intelligence-network-of-astroturfed-muslim-civil-society-groups-is-kept UK Column – network kept secret and deniable]
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==Activities==
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* [https://www.ukcolumn.org/article/how-muslim-civil-society-groups-are-astroturfed-into-products-by-british-intelligence UK Column – astroturfed into products]
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[[Image:Jonathan Allen.JPG|thumb|right|Jonathan Allen at a panel discussion called "Words Matter: The Role of Lexicon in Counter-Terrorism Communications Strategy" June 24, 2008. Hosted by the Homeland Security Policy Institute in the USA.]]
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* Home Office FOI responses (2009) on structure, budget and projects (Scribd archives)
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===Language of Counter-Terrorism===
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* Intelligence and Security Committee reporting on the UK intelligence community
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The RICU demands civil servants not to use phrases such as "Islamist extremism" and "jihadi-fundamentalist." This is due to the fact that the organization wishes to thwart any ideas of a fundamental connection between islamic beliefs and terrorism. Civil servants are required to refer to terrorism and terrorist groups as "violent extremism," "criminal murderers," and "thugs."
 
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===Conference presentations===
 
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On June 24, 2008, [[Jonathan Allen]] (head of RICU) was featured at a panel discussion called "Words Matter: The Role of Lexicon in Counter-Terrorism Communications Strategy." The discussion was hosted by the [[Homeland Security Policy Institute]]. The other featured speakers were [[Daniel Sutherland]] (Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the US [[Department of Homeland Security]]), and [[Jeffrey Imm]], (research director for the [[Counterterrorism Blog]] and former analyst with the FBI).
 
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On Tuesday, 7 October 2008 at 15:00, [[Jonathan Allen]], Head of the RICU, spoke at a conference called "Public Diplomacy: Meeting New Challenges" held at [[Wilton Park]] in West Sussex. He spoke during a section of the conference called, "How to Change Public Behavior: A Foreign Policy Context." His fellow speakers during this section of the conference included [[Klavs Holm]] (Under Secretary, Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen), and [[David Kenning]] (Chief Strategist, [[Bell Pottinger Sans Frontieres]], London).
 
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===RICU discussed with Pakistan government===
 
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November 2008, Home Secretary [[Jacqui Smith]] met with Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting minister [[Sherry Rehman]] at the House of Commons to discuss bilateral issues and combating terrorism. Smith said that military force alone will not stamp out terrorism. Smith discussed the British counter-terrorism strategy, which is the RICU, with Rehman. Smith said that the RICU "...plans advances and amplifies the objectives in today's crowded mobile world." She then said that Rehman has Britain's support in creating and implementing a similar organization in Pakistan. Rehman discussed Pakistan's problem with terrorism using the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as an example.
 
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===Help For Syria campaign===
 
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The ''Guardian'' reported in May 2016 that RICU had used communications company, [[Breakthrough Media Network]] to undertake the 'Help for Syria' campaign, seeking to advise on how to support Syrian refugees without revealing government involvement.<ref name="Guardian020516">Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/02/uk-government-covert-propaganda-stop-muslims-joining-isis?CMP=share_btn_tw Revealed: UK's covert propaganda bid to stop Muslims joining Isis], ''Guardian'', 2 May 2016.</ref>
 
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== Projects Undertaken==
 
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According to the Home Office, the following are the projects that have been undertaken by the RICU since its formation:<ref>Data on topics and whether project completed from The Home Office (2009) Freedom of Information Response. (email correspondence from R. Stokes to D. Miller) 8, April 2009. Received 20, April 2009 16:51; data on period of research and name of company undertaking research from J Fanshaw, Direct Communications Unit, Home Office 'Freedom of Information response - Ref 11707, Annex A Details of RICU Research', 27 May 2009, 10.08</ref>
 
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*'''Youth Segmentation:''' A project that looked at how young British Muslims felt about their identity and sense of belonging. Completed. Period of Research - Early 2008, Research company contracted [[Define Research]].
 
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*'''Online Behaviours:''' A project that studied how young British Muslims use the internet. Project has been completed. Period of Research - March-April 2008, Research company contracted [[Connect Research]].
 
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*'''Media Consumption:''' A project that looked at media consumption among British Muslims. Project has been completed. Period of Research - Early 2008, Research company contracted [[TNS]]
 
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*'''Counter-Terrorism Message Testing:''' A study researching how Government messages are perceived by Muslim communities. Project has been completed. Period of Research - Mid 2007 - Early 2008, Research company contracted [[Turnstone]]
 
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*'''Estimating Network Size and Tracking Information Dissemination Amongst Islamic Blogs:''' A study that researched the size of blog readership. Project has been completed. Period of Research - Early 2008, Research company contracted 'Academic at University of Nottingham'.(''See main article:''  [[Estimating network size and tracking information dissemination amongst Islamic blogs]])
 
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*'''The Language of Terrorism:''' A project that studied public discourse of counter-terrorism themes. Project has been completed. Period of Research - January 2007 - March 2008, Research company contracted [[TNS]]
 
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*'''Credible Voices:''' A project that studies why some voices are more credible than others to Muslim communities. Project is currently underway.
 
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*'''Audience Insight Qualitative Phase I:''' A project that looked at understandings of 'Britishness' and terrorism and where these feelings come from within the British population. Project has been completed.
 
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*'''Audience Insight Quanititative Phase II Segmentation:''' A survey of attitudes, behaviours and general demographics of the British population. Project is currently underway.
 
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*'''Audience Insight Quantitative/Qualitative Phase III Evaluation (Pilot):''' A qualitative and quantitative study of shifting attitudes across the population. Project is currently underway.
 
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==People==
 
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The RICU was created as a result of the advice of Dr. [[J. P. Macintosh]], who is currently the head of the [[Advanced Research and Assessment Group]] (ARAG) for the [[Defence Academy of the United Kingdom]]. "He catalysed the use of a "war room" facility to begin building the capacity needed to transform the Home Office. His advice was "instrumental in the creation of the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) and the Research Information & Communication Unit (RICU)."<ref>Defence Academy [http://www.da.mod.uk/our-work/governance/board-biogs/dr-j-p-macintosh Dr. J. P Macintosh], accessed 6 May 2009</ref>
 
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*[[Jonathan Allen]] 'In 2007 he moved to the Office for Security and Counter-terrorism (OSCT), where he established and led the Research Information and Communications Unit (RICU), a cross-departmental strategic communications body.'<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/people/jonathan-allen</ref>
 
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===Staff===
 
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*[[Matt Collins]] Director of Prevent and RICU
 
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*[[Richard Chalk]]: Head of Research, Information and Communications Unit<ref> Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/inside-ricu-the-shadowy-propaganda-unit-inspired-by-the-cold-war Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war], ''Guardian'', 2 May 2016 </ref>
 
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*[[Jonathan Allen]]: Former Head of Research, Information and Communications Unit, 2007 - April 2009.
 
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*[[Peter Wilson (RICU)|Peter  Wilson]],  UK  Home  Office,  Deputy  Director,  Head  of  the Research Information Communications Unit (RICU) (Circa 2017)<ref name="Venice">Club of Venice  [http://www.politicheeuropee.gov.it/media/3221/programma-del-seminario.pdf Seminar on strategic communications challenges for Europe], 16 and 17 March 2017</ref>
 
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*[[Christopher Wainwright]] Deputy Director, Strategic Communications UK Home Office, 2010 - 2012<ref>LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wainwright-a3037429/?originalSubdomain=uk Chris Wainwright]</ref>
 
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*[[Andrew Garner]] | [[Paul Mott]] 'Counter Terrorism communications' - attended the 2008 Newsxchange conference on behalf of RICU<ref>Newsxchange 08 [http://www.newsxchange.org/newsx2008/delegatelist_08.html Delegate List 2008], accessed 20 April 2009</ref> | [[Michael Nevin]] (seconded from [[FCO]], 2007-2008)<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-her-majestys-ambassador-to-iceland--2 Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Iceland] Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 5 April 2016, accessed 21 May 2016</ref><ref>Jim Armstrong, Candace J. Chin, Uri Leventer [http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/PAE_UK%20Prevent_Counterterrorism_Strat.pdf The Language of Counter-Terrorism: When Message Received is Not Message Intended] Harvard Kennedy School Policy Analysis Exercise, Prepared for the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Consulate-General, New England, April 2008: Acknowledgements</ref> | [[Stephen Rimmer]] (director of [[Prevent]] and [[RICU]] circa February 2008 - February 2009<ref>Stephen Rimmer [http://www.pickledpolitics.com/pictures/documents/homeoffice_pve_response.pdf Allegations made in the Panorama programme 'Muslim First - British Second' on Monday 16 February], 17 February 2009, accessed 1 April 2009</ref> | [[Paul Smith]] (seconded from [[ACPO]]) | [[Paul Drew]] circa July 2015 <ref>https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/249947.pdf</ref> | [[Sarah Moore]], UK, Home Office, RICU Media Team (Circa 2017)<ref name="Venice"/> | [[Debbi Gupta]]
 
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===Journalists in touch with RICU===
 
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*[[Frank Gardner]] BBC Security Correspondent
 
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===Others in contact===
 
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*[[David Stevens]] - [[University of Nottingham]] - undertook a placement at RICU from November 2007-Mar 2008
 
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==Resources, Publications, Contact==
 
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===Resources===
 
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*http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/released-information/foi-archive-crime/1352-government-anti-terrorist?view=Html
 
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*http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/ViewAwardPage.aspx?ts=2&data=z8HSvl3fWwVY2sDo4JNP8iOLJQdQnq85MsSF4JQ2cVHRt6Z80eapox%2Fh0w35tsA8Z2n1ly0T8vM7xXdhNkbQrgQxDMr5xj13O34dr3%2BZd1Q%3D
 
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*http://www.fromthefrontline.co.uk/blogs/index.php?blog=18&title=title_70&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
 
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*http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/current_funding_opportunities/pfs_ricu07.aspx?ComponentId=24171&SourcePageId=13306
 
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*http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/released-information/foi-archive-crime/1352-government-anti-terrorist?view=Html
 
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*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1084977/Confusing-PC-language-hampering-anti-terror-fight-government-watchdog-says.html?ITO=1490
 
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*http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/26/alqaida.terrorism
 
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*http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/28/bbc.pressandpublishing
 
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*http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/word/5029385/5029509/5029751/ricu-info-for-candidates
 
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*http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2007-12-11e.172384.h
 
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*http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/RICU/
 
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*http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/?view=News&id=8985566
 
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*http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1055379
 
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*http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/1098129.pdf
 
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*http://www.thesargeants.net/dblog/articolo.asp?articolo=168
 
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*http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/lexiconsummary.htm
 
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*http://www.wiltonpark.org.uk/documents/conferences/WP902/pdfs/WP902prog.pdf
 
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*http://discussions.bbcamerica.com/jiveforums/thread.jspa?messageID=62853
 
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*http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/blog/imm-articles/101.html#T01
 
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*http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/blog/imm-articles/101.html#T02
 
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*http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000127/M00002795/AI00004223/$CCEFPreventBriefing.docA.ps.pdf
 
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*http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/word/5029385/5029509/5029751/ricu-info-for-candidates
 
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*http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-publications/publication-search/comms-with-public-and-partners/RICU-research/index.html
 
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*https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/E02710035-HCP-Extreme-Right-Wing-Terrorism_Accessible.pdf
 
−
 
 
−
===Publications and reports===
 
−
====Responses to FoI requests====
 
−
*Home Office [http://www.scribd.com/doc/49165634/Budget-RICU-Structure-Etc Budget - RICU Structure etc] Freedom of Information Request – our ref 11382, 20th April 2009
 
−
*Home Office [http://www.scribd.com/doc/49165326/List-of-RICU-Documents-Produced-and-No-of-Non-doscloable-Titles-and-Their-Ref-Numbers List of RICU Documents Produced and No. of Non-doscloable Titles and Their Ref Numbers], Freedom of Information Request – our reference 11685, 7th July 2009.
 
−
 
 
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====Publications and reports disclosed or published====
 
−
*[[Paul Smith]], APCO/NCSB Police Advisor, [http://www.scribd.com/doc/49165514/PPT-RICU RICU Local Communications Team], date unknown.
 
−
*[http://www.scribd.com/doc/44585595/RICU-Counter-Terrorism-Communications-Guidance CounterTerrorism Communications Guidance: Communicating Effectively with Community Audiences] (RICU/12/07), September 2007<ref>cited in Home Office [http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-publications/publication-search/prevent-strategy/prevent-strategy-part-2?view=Binary Part 2 of the government's Prevent Strategy, Objective 5: Addressing Grievances], published 3 June 2008, p.44. accessed 7 February 2009</ref>
 
−
*Stephen Rimmer, Director, Prevent & RICU, Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, [http://www.scribd.com/doc/49164753/Ricu-Ppt-on-Prevent-amp-Ricus-Role UK Security and Counter-Terrorism: �Preventing Extremism: The Challenge for London] Presentation to London Community Safety Partnership, 12 February 2008 (Powerpoint file)
 
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*RICU [http://www.scribd.com/doc/49164754/RICU-Job-App-Details-Info-for-Candidates RICU AUDIENCE ANALYST INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES], 2008.
 
−
*RICU - Young British Muslims Online
 
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*RICU - Understanding Perception of the Terms Britishness and Terrorism
 
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*TNS Media Intelligence [http://www.scribd.com/doc/44585650/RICU-The-Language-of-Terrorism-Analysing-the-Public-Discourse-amp-Evaluating-RICUs-Impact The Language of Terrorism - Analysing the Public Discourse and Evaluating RICUs Impact, January 2007 - March 2008] RESTRICTED
 
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*RICU, Estimating Network Size and Tracking Information Dissemination Amongst Islamic Blogs
 
−
*RICU, Credible Voices - Exploring Perceptions of Trust and Credibility in Muslim Communities
 
−
*RICU, [ Counter-terror message testing: Qualitative research report], March 2010 (Research completed April 2008)
 
−
*David Stevens, ''[http://www.powerbase.info/images/b/bd/Estimating-network-size-copy.pdf Estimating network size and tracking information dissemination amongst Islamic blogs]'', March 2010 (Research completed April 2008), [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]], [[Home Office]]. ISBN 978-1-84987-162-4
 
−
*RICU, Research, Information and Communications Unit [http://www.scribd.com/doc/44585546/RICU-British-Muslim-Media-Consumption-Report British Muslim Media Consumption Report] March 2010 (Research completed June 2008) ISSN 2042-8251 ISBN 978-1-84987-160-0
 
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===List of RICU publications in series including non disclosed titles===
 
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*Number Title Note on function or role of paper and intended audience
 
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*RICU-01-07 Overview Introduction and overview of RICU’s embryonic role and remit for Whitehall partners
 
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*RICU-02-07 The Communications Challenge For Whitehall partners: setting out RICU’s role in countering the terrorist narrative
 
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*RICU-03-07 Core Counter Terrorism Language and Messages For all CT communicators: guidance on effective communication with British Muslim audiences.
 
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*RICU-04-07 Co-Ordinated Communications Short paper discussing RICU’s remit to co-ordinate government communications work.
 
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*RICU-05-07 Islam the Basics Paper looking at Origins, Beliefs, Everyday Practices, History, and Sects of Islam and Islam and Culture.
 
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*RICU-06-07 Communications Grid wd 25 June 07 Forward look at events that might impact CT Comms
 
−
*RICU-07-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal">The Home Office maintained the following as its reason for non-disclosure: 'he details of these documents are withheld in reliance on section 24(1) of the Freedom of Information Act. Section 24(1) of the FOIA provides that information can be withheld where exemption from disclosure is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security and where the public interest falls in favour of non-disclosure. Considerations which favour the disclosure of the requested information in this case include the promotion of openness and transparency in government, the benefits of greater public knowledge regarding matters of national security and the particular public interest in further information being put in to the public domain regarding the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005. Home Office [http://www.scribd.com/doc/49165326/List-of-RICU-Documents-Produced-and-No-of-Non-doscloable-Titles-and-Their-Ref-Numbers List of RICU Documents Produced and No. of Non-doscloable Titles and Their Ref Numbers], Freedom of Information Request – our reference 11685, 7th July 2009.</ref>
 
−
*RICU-08-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
−
*RICU-09-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
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*RICU-10-07 UK Muslim Communities Media Consumption Note Short paper looking at media consumption by Muslim communities (audience No 10)
 
−
*RICU-11-07 Framing the Debate (Hearts and Minds) Short paper discussing the importance of careful use of language to engage people better in discussion
 
−
*RICU-12-07 Counter Terrorism Communications Guidance (Unclassified version of RICU 03/07) For broader range of communicators: guidance on effective communication with British Muslim audiences.
 
−
*RICU-13-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
−
*RICU-14-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
−
*RICU-15-07 Communicating Shared Values For CT communicators at national, local and international level: Preliminary *RICU guidance on understanding and communicating possible shared values.
 
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*RICU-16-07 Muslim Grievances For CT officials and wider delivery audience beyond immediate CT community: guidance on identifying and addressing a range of political and socio-economic issues exploited as “Muslim issues”  in the promulgation of a terrorist narrative.
 
−
*RICU-17-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
−
*RICU-18-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
−
*RICU-19-07 CT Bill 2000 Guidance for those with responsibility for communicating or discussing the Counter Terrorism Bill.  It consolidates RICU communications analysis and advice around the Bill, including recommendations on how best to communicate proposals, focussing in particular on pre-charge detention. 
 
−
*RICU-20-07 Title witheld by Home Office on grounds of 'national security'.<ref name="refusal"/>
 
−
*RICU-21-08 Terrorism what do we call it For Whitehall, local and international partners: think piece on defining and talking about the nature of the terrorist threat facing the UK and its underlying ideology, without apportioning undue blame onto particular communities or a religion.
 
−
*RICU-22-08 RICU Evaluation Framework Paper discussing how RICU can evaluate if it is focusing on the right activities and if it is having a positive impact on relevant outcomes
 
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===Contact===
 
−
http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/RICU/
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
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Revision as of 20:32, 10 October 2026

Pa-police-460x230.jpg

This article is part of the Counter-Terrorism Portal project of Spinwatch.

Microphones-2-.jpg This article is part of the Propaganda Portal project of Spinwatch.

Home Office strategic communications unit within the Homeland Security Group (formerly OSCT); modelled in part on the Information Research Department; principal contractor for covert counter-narrative campaigns via Breakthrough Media/Zinc


Research, Information and Communications Unit
Type Government unit / strategic communications
Logo
Founded 2007
Founder(s)
Dissolved
Registration ID
Status Active (within Homeland Security Group)
Headquarters 2 Marsham Street, London
Location
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people
Website
Remarks Part of the UK intelligence community; uses arms-length contractors to produce deniable “products”; staff and contractors have described themselves as “the new IRD”


The Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU) is a strategic communications unit within the UK’s Homeland Security Group (formerly the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism), based in the Home Office. Until 2011 it was also funded by and answerable to the Foreign Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government. It was created in 2007 to analyse how key audiences (principally Muslim communities) react to government messages and to produce more coherent counter-narratives to the ideology of Al-Qaeda and related groups. Officials have denied it is a propaganda department, though one conceded that “it does sound horribly cold war.” Leaked documents and subsequent reporting show it operates a system of arms-length contractors (notably Breakthrough Media Network, later Zinc Network) so that “campaign products are never directly attributed to RICU.”[1][2]

Creation and purpose

The unit emerged from the post-2006 rethink of Prevent after the alleged airline plot. The Home Office became the centre for a new strategic hub (OSCT), and RICU was established as its communications arm. Its task was described as building and promoting a counter-narrative without the appearance of government propaganda. Richard Mottram argued that this could be done “without it looking like government propaganda, because if it looks too much like government propaganda then I don’t think people are going to listen, nor should they.” RICU is part of the seven agencies and departments that form the UK intelligence community. It was modelled in part on the Information Research Department (IRD), the Cold War covert propaganda unit of the Foreign Office (1948–1977). Ian Cobain reported that some officials treated Frances Stonor Saunders’ Who Paid the Piper? as a manual rather than a warning, and that after the appointment of Richard Chalk as head in 2012 the unit became more closely modelled on the IRD. Staff and contractors have described themselves as “the new IRD.” Chalk had previously worked for Bell Pottinger on covert propaganda in Iraq under Pentagon and CIA contracts.[1][3][2]

Dr J. P. Macintosh (then of the Defence Academy’s Advanced Research and Assessment Group) is credited with catalysing the “war room” facility and being instrumental in the creation of OSCT and RICU. Steve Tatham (MoD strategic communications) and Jamie Macintosh (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory / ARAG) are also linked to the early development of the unit’s approach.[4][2]

Location, size, budget and structure

RICU is based at Home Office headquarters, 2 Marsham Street, London. Staffing grew rapidly: 3 (June 2007), 8 (Sept 2007), 10 (Dec 2007), 12 (Mar 2008), 17 (June 2008), 28 (Sept 2008), 33 including secondees (Dec 2008).

2008/09 programme budget: £2,172,610 (Home Office £660,000; FCO £810,073; DCLG £702,537). Administration: pay £806,138; non-pay £153,167. 2009/10 proposed programme budget: £5,700,000 (Home Office £1.2m; FCO £3m; DCLG £1.5m). Administration: pay £867,000; non-pay £154,000.

As of March 2009 the structure consisted of the Head of Unit and PA overseeing two branches:

  • Audience Research & Knowledge (ARK) Branch: Research and Knowledge; Analysis; CONTEST communications; Strategic Development; Specialists (Digital Media, Audience Insight, Information).
  • External Delivery Branch: Campaigns; Interventions; News Coordination; Local Communications.[5]

Activities and methods

Early work focused on audience research, language guidance and message testing. RICU issued guidance requiring civil servants to avoid phrases such as “Islamist extremism” or “jihadi-fundamentalist” in favour of “violent extremism,” “criminal murderers” and “thugs.” Projects (2007–2009) included Youth Segmentation, Online Behaviours, Media Consumption, Counter-Terrorism Message Testing, Estimating Network Size and Tracking Information Dissemination Amongst Islamic Blogs, The Language of Terrorism, Credible Voices, and multi-phase Audience Insight studies. Research was contracted to firms including Define Research, Connect Research, TNS and Turnstone, and to academics (including a secondment by David Stevens of Nottingham University).[5]

From around 2011 RICU shifted toward the production of deniable “products” delivered through contractors. Leaked documents describe a system of four levels of arms-length relations so that campaigns are never directly attributed to RICU. The principal contractor has been Breakthrough Media Network (later Zinc Network), which embeds in “moderate organisations” to influence online conversations and produces campaigns presented as grassroots initiatives. RICU retains contractual editorial control. A 2015 “theory of change” document submitted to the Swedish National Coordinator Against Violent Extremism states that supporting civil-society organisations improves their planning, delivery, funding and communications, thereby reaching more vulnerable young people, reducing radicalisation and promoting democratic values.[6][2]

Documented “RICU products” include:

  • #MakingAStand (Inspire, led by Sara Khan) – women’s network in Prevent priority areas to transmit HMG counter-extremism messages; launched 2014 at RUSI with front-page support from The Sun. Listed in the OSCT March 2015 Prevent Strategy Local Delivery Best Practice Catalogue. Sabin Khan (Sara Khan’s sister) was Deputy Director of RICU.
  • Families Matter (Families Against Stress and Trauma / FAST, led by Saleha Jaffer) – support campaign with videos; main film viewed over 162,000 times on YouTube by 2015. FAST received Home Office/OSCT funding 2007–2010 and continued close collaboration.
  • Work with Faith Associates (mosque training, ImamsOnline.com, “Keeping Muslims Safe Online” with Facebook), Project Shanaz (ACPO women’s engagement project), and others such as Jan Trust and Active Change Foundation.

Breakthrough/Zinc presentations emphasise embedding within target communities via a network of moderate organisations. Groups are described as having been productised; funding and support are channelled so that direct government attribution is avoided. The Guardian reported in 2016 that RICU used Breakthrough for the “Help for Syria” campaign, advising on support for Syrian refugees without revealing government involvement.[3][6]

People

  • Jonathan Allen – established and led RICU from 2007 to April 2009.
  • Richard Chalk – Head of RICU (from around 2012); previously Bell Pottinger on Iraq covert propaganda.
  • Matt Collins – Director of Prevent and RICU.
  • Peter Wilson – Deputy Director / Head of RICU (circa 2017).
  • Christopher Wainwright – Deputy Director, Strategic Communications (2010–2012).
  • Stephen Rimmer – Director of Prevent and RICU (circa 2008–2009).
  • Others named in FOI, conference lists or reporting: Andrew Garner, Paul Mott, Michael Nevin (FCO secondment), Paul Smith (ACPO secondment), Paul Drew, Sarah Moore, Debbi Gupta.
  • Contractors and linked personnel: Scott Brown (Managing Director, Breakthrough; previously Bell Pottinger Special Projects in Baghdad and Mogadishu/Nairobi); frequent staff movement between RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc.

Journalists and academics in contact have included Frank Gardner (BBC) and David Stevens (Nottingham, secondment 2007–2008).[3][5][2]

See also

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gordon Corera, Don’t look now, Britain’s real spooks are right behind you The Sunday Times, 2 December 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 UK Column, How the British Intelligence Network of Astroturfed Muslim Civil Society Groups Is Kept Secret and Deniable.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war The Guardian, 2 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Defence Academy biographical note on Dr J. P. Macintosh.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Home Office Freedom of Information responses to D. Miller, April 2009 (structure, staffing, budget, projects).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 UK Column, How Muslim Civil Society Groups Are Astroturfed into ‘Products’ by British Intelligence.
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