Difference between revisions of "European Strategic Communications Network"

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{{short description|'''EU strategic communications network (successor to the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team); notionally hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior and funded by the European Commission; in practice heavily staffed and directed by UK Home Office RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc personnel; key node in the export of RICU-style counter-narrative campaigns to EU member states and the Civil Society Empowerment Programme'''}}
  
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{{short description|'''Former head of the UK Home Office Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU) (c.2012–2016); previously Conservative Party spin doctor and Bell Pottinger information-operations contractor in Baghdad; later reported as Head of the European Strategic Communications Network; sole director of REOC Communications Limited'''}}
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{{Infobox organization
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| name = European Strategic Communications Network
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{{Infobox person
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| other_names = ESCN; successor to the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team (SSCAT)
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| name = Richard Edward Oliver Chalk
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| type = Members-only strategic communications platform / advisory team
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| nationality = British
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| founded = Circa 2015 (evolved from SSCAT)
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| occupation = Strategic communications; political spin doctor; information operations; government adviser
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| headquarters = Notionally Belgium (emails on escn.ibz.eu domain; URL registered by Belgian Prime Minister’s office); operationally linked to UK RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc
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| known_for = Head of [[RICU]] (c.2012–2016); Bell Pottinger information operations in Baghdad; Conservative Party communications roles under Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard and Ken Clarke; Head of the [[European Strategic Communications Network]] (reported 2017); sole director of [[REOC Communications Limited]]
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| parent_organization = Funded by the European Commission; hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior; supported by the UK Home Office (RICU)
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| image = [[File:Screenshot 2020-02-28 at 22.07.35.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Richard Chalk]] in Estonia in March 2017]]
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| purpose = Capacity-building for EU member states on strategic communications to counter violent extremism; consultancy, training and campaign support; link to the Radicalisation Awareness Network and Civil Society Empowerment Programme
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| remarks = Password-protected website; described as not operating in the public sphere; Miller report characterises it as a covert RICU-led operation with Belgian intelligence (CUTA) assistance
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''[[Richard Chalk]]''' (Richard Edward Oliver Chalk) was head of the British [[Home Office]]’s [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]] ([[RICU]]) between 2012 and around 2016.<ref name="Guardian">[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], ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2016, accessed 10 May 2016</ref> He previously worked as a Conservative Party spin doctor and as a Bell Pottinger information-operations contractor in Baghdad. In March 2017 he appeared at conferences as Head (or Head of the advisory team) of the [[European Strategic Communications Network]]. He is the sole director of [[REOC Communications Limited]].
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The '''[[European Strategic Communications Network]]''' (ESCN) is a members-only strategic communications platform and advisory team focused on countering violent extremism across EU member states. It evolved from the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team (SSCAT) and is notionally hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior and funded by the European Commission. In practice it has been heavily staffed and directed by personnel from the UK Home Office’s [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]] (RICU) and its principal contractor [[Breakthrough Media Network]] / [[Zinc Network]]. It has served as a key vehicle for exporting RICU-style deniable counter-narrative campaigns into European civil society and for shaping the EU’s Civil Society Empowerment Programme (CSEP).<ref name="Miller">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.</ref><ref name="EP">European Parliament research report, November 2017 (as cited in Miller).</ref>
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[[File:Chalk.jpg|thumb|right|400px|[[Richard Chalk]] (on the left) with [[Michael Howard]] in 2005]]
 
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== Spinning for the Conservative Party ==
 
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Chalk has a long-standing association with the [[Conservative Party]]. In 1997 he stood as a parliamentary election candidate, reportedly describing himself as fuelled by “religious conviction” and a “passionate rejection of the dogma and dangerous idealism of a Socialist agenda”.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-cabinet-of-tomorrow-1277684.html The cabinet of tomorrow?] ''The Independent'', 9 February 1997, accessed 10 May 2016</ref> At this time he worked as an investment manager for [[British Aerospace]].<ref name="Guardian"/>
 
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In 2003 he was also quoted as saying: “I’m so dedicated to politics that I’m prepared to spend Valentine’s Day on the hustings”.<ref name="Evening Standard">IDS hopes to Chalk up success with spin wunderkind; Londoner’s Diary, ''The Evening Standard'', 11 April 2003, accessed 10 May 2016. Nexis Screengrab [http://powerbase.info/index.php/File:Richard_Chalk_The_Evening_Standard_Nexis_Screengrab.jpg here]</ref>
 
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In 2001 Chalk reportedly masterminded [[Ken Clarke]]’s leadership bid against [[Iain Duncan Smith]].<ref name="Evening Standard"/> Chalk was later appointed by Duncan Smith as director of planning in 2003, and acted also as deputy to the director of strategic communications, [[Paul Baverstock]].<ref name="Evening Standard"/><ref>[http://www.prweek.com/article/505359/baverstock-handle-kenneth-clarkes-tory-leadership-bid Baverstock handles Kenneth Clarke's Tory leadership bid], ''PR Week'', 9 September 2005, accessed 10 May 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1440203/Tory-media-chief-is-ousted-by-new-guard.html Tory media chief is ousted by new guard] ''The Telegraph'', 31 August 2003, accessed 10 May 2016</ref> ''The Sun'' credits Chalk for the 20 standing ovations Duncan Smith received for his Tory conference speech in the same year.<ref>Ken Clarke is banking on well-choreographed media appearances, ''The Sun'', 8 September 2005, accessed 10 May 2006. Nexis Screengrab [http://powerbase.info/index.php/File:Richard_Chalk_The_Sun_Nexis_Screengrab.png here]</ref> Chalk subsequently worked as a spin doctor under former party leader [[Michael Howard]] in 2004,<ref>Hickey, ''The Express'', 12 August 2005, accessed 10 May 2016. Nexis Screengrab [http://powerbase.info/index.php/File:Richard_Chalk_The_Express_Nexis_Screengrab.jpg here]</ref> before overseeing press relations for Ken Clarke’s unsuccessful leadership campaign in 2005.<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/conservatives-refuse-confirm-role-london-1898046 Conservatives refuse to confirm role of London official in racism storm] ''Wales Online'', 17 September 2010, accessed 10 May 2016</ref>
 
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== Spinning democracy in Iraq ==
 
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In 2005–2006 Chalk worked in Baghdad for British public relations firm [[Bell Pottinger Communications]], where he was commissioned to deliver multi-channelled communications campaigns.<ref name="Zoominfo">[http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Richard-Chalk/1235200107 Zoominfo, Richard Chalk], accessed 12 May 2016</ref> In a $5.8m (£3.2m) deal, Bell Pottinger had been appointed by the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] to promote democracy in Iraq preceding the handover of power to the [[Iraqi Interim Government]] on 30 June 2005.<ref>[http://www.prweek.com/article/204668/bell-pottinger-iraq-democracy-pr-drive Bell Pottinger in Iraq democracy PR drive], ''PR Week'', 11 March 2004, accessed 10 May 2016</ref> Chalk’s work, some of which is confidential, included “information operations” aimed at undermining the insurgency. [[Scott Brown]], who in 2016 was a director of [[Breakthrough Media Network]] (which worked for RICU), also worked for both the Conservatives and Bell Pottinger’s information-operations team in Baghdad.<ref name="Guardian"/>
 
  
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Chalk returned to the UK in 2006 to fulfil an 18-month contract as chief of staff under the then Conservative Party co-chair [[Sayeeda Warsi]].<ref name="Guardian"/><ref name="Zoominfo"/> In 2008 he became the chief executive of [[M&C Saatchi]]’s Middle East operation.<ref name="Zoominfo"/><ref>[http://www.kippreport.com/article/testy-creatives-hit-back-at-saatchi-jibes/ Testy creatives hit back at Saatchi jibes] ''Kipp Report'', 6 June 2008, accessed 10 May 2016</ref>
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== Origins and remit ==
  
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== Head of RICU ==
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In 2014 the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator noted that expertise in strategic communications to counter the appeal of travel to Syria was scarce at EU level and recommended building on the considerable expertise available within RICU through the creation of a Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team. SSCAT was offered to interested member states (and, with EEAS support, third countries) to develop practical campaign communications solutions. The ESCN continued and broadened this work. Its stated purpose is to support capacity-building of member states and network members in their strategic communications response to violent extremism, through sharing of best practice, tailor-made consultancy, training and practical support.<ref name="Miller" />
  
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Chalk was reportedly hired to head RICU in 2012 because of his expertise in counter-terrorism strategic communications. According to ''The Guardian'':
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Unlike many EU initiatives, both SSCAT and the ESCN have not operated in the public sphere. The ESCN website is a locked, password-protected landing page. The domain was registered by the Belgian Prime Minister’s office in June 2018; staff emails use the escn.ibz.eu domain associated with the Belgian Ministry of the Interior. A 2016 think-tank report described a team of around ten experts funded by the European Commission, hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior and supported by the British Home Office (with half the team coming from the UK).<ref name="Miller" />
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:Under Chalk’s leadership, Ricu began communicating with British Muslims in a manner more reminiscent of counter-insurgency operations than a traditional public information campaign: disseminating messages through the use of subterfuge.<ref name="Guardian"/>
 
  
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''The Guardian'' also reported that Chalk supervises at least some of the work carried out by RICU’s contractor Breakthrough Media Network. Breakthrough produces films, Twitter feeds, Facebook profiles, YouTube clips and online radio content. One of its objectives is to “influence online conversations by being embedded within target communities via a network of moderate organisations that are supportive of it’s [sic] goals.” It also seeks to help the British Government “promote a reconciled British Muslim Identity.” ''The Guardian'' states:
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== Relationship to RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc ==
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:Ricu and Breakthrough focus on “Prevent priority areas” in the UK, using keywords and paid-for Google and Facebook adverts to target people whose browsing history suggests they are Muslims. Using so-called “promotion and diversion techniques”, Breakthrough promotes Ricu’s messages to browsers who are searching for terms such as Isis, Khalifa and “What does the Qur’an say about jihad?”<ref name="Guardian"/>
 
  
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Leaked papers acquired by ''The Guardian'' suggested that one of Breakthrough’s campaigns created under RICU’s instruction, ''Help for Syria'', has been used secretly as a counter-radicalisation scheme for Britons wanting to assist fellow Muslims in Syria. The campaign funnels aid to Syrian refugees, but allegedly aims to divert British Muslims into UK-based charity aid as opposed to travelling to deliver aid or join the jihad in Syria. RICU’s involvement in ''Help for Syria'' is not openly advertised.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/help-for-syria-aid-campaign-secretly-run-by-uk-government Help for Syria aid campaign secretly run by UK Government], ''The Guardian'', 3 May 2016, accessed 10 May 2016</ref>
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A November 2017 European Parliament research report identified RICU as one of the key partners of both SSCAT and the ESCN. A British government memo to the Commission noted that RICU provides consultancy services to the ESCN as well as a bespoke consultancy service to network members. The same report recorded that RICU and the European Commission both work with Breakthrough Media to design campaigns. Official briefings in January 2015 indicated that British intelligence was slated for a key role in the SSCAT under the Belgian government.<ref name="Miller" /><ref name="Guardian">Ian Cobain et al., “Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war,” ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2016.</ref>
  
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A report by [[CAGE]] stated that under Chalk’s guidance, RICU has played a central role in delivering campaigns to secretly steer the conversation within Muslim communities on issues such as “extremism” and “radicalisation”, and to garner support for the Government’s counter-terrorism policies.<ref>[http://www.cageuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CAGE_WACI.pdf "We are completely independent": The Home Office, Breakthrough Media and the PREVENT Counter Narrative Industry] Ben Hayes and Asim Qureshi, ''CAGE'', 2016, accessed 10 May 2016</ref>
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Miller’s analysis of open-source staffing data concludes that, despite the Belgian hosting, the project was predominantly staffed by individuals with recent or ongoing connections to RICU or Breakthrough/Zinc. Of thirteen identified staff, only four had no obvious RICU connection; all four were Belgian Ministry of the Interior officials, at least two of whom were employees of the Coordination Unit for Threat Assessment (CUTA), Belgium’s fusion centre for terrorist and extremist threat assessment. The five most senior roles (Creative Director, Head of Advisory Team, Head of Network, Director, Team Leader) each had significant history with RICU or Breakthrough, including the Network Hub model. Suggested speaking notes for an ESCN presentation in Rome (June 2019) listed members as “Mainly MoI”, “CUTA – BE fusion center” and “RICU – UK HO”.<ref name="Miller" />
  
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== European Strategic Communications Network ==
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The Network Hub model pioneered by Zinc for RICU (an office producing campaigns for civil-society organisations while keeping RICU and Breakthrough involvement confidential) was adapted for European work. Staff revolved between RICU/Breakthrough and ESCN/Network Hub roles. Internal Zinc documents describe the model as bringing together organisations to campaign against extremism while attributing content to partner organisations rather than to the contractor or RICU.<ref name="Miller" />
  
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In March 2017 Chalk appeared at a number of conferences representing the [[European Strategic Communications Network]].
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== People ==
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* On 17 March he spoke on “Communication strategies: Governments and institutions and other key players responding to terrorism, migration information challenges, disinformation and declining trust” at a meeting of the Club of Venice titled Seminar on “Strategic communications challenges for Europe”.<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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* On 30 March he spoke at “European response to terrorism” at the conference centre of the Radisson Blu Sky Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia. He was listed as “Head” of the ESCN.<ref>Hea Kodanik [https://heakodanik.ee/uudised/mis-euroopa-vastus-terrorismile-tule-konverentsile-30-martsil/ Mis on Euroopa vastus terrorismile? Tule konverentsile] 30. märtsil 27. märts 2017.</ref> and “Head of advisory team”.<ref name="Delfi">Delfi [https://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/blogi-terrorismikonverentsilt-tallinnas-kuidas-vastab-euroopa-terrorismile?id=77729236 BLOGI terrorismikonverentsilt Tallinnas: kuidas vastab Euroopa terrorismile?], 30 March 2017.</ref>
 
  
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In Estonia Chalk was reported as saying the following (translated from Estonian by Google Translate):
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=== RICU / Breakthrough / Zinc connected ===
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:1:26 pm
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* [[Richard Chalk]] – Head of RICU 2012–c.2015/16; reported as Head of the ESCN in March 2017; sole director of REOC Communications Limited.
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:Chalk: The arrival of the Islamic State (Daesh) meant a major change in the world of terrorism. Military defeats have led to a change in their propaganda, now calling for local ultra-violent attacks. Such are the terrorist attacks in Nice, Berlin and London.
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* [[Luke Havill]] – Head of Advisory Team, ESCN (Apr 2019–); previously Development Director, The Network Hub; Communications Adviser Europe with RICU-I; Head of Consultancy, Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team.
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:1:29 pm
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* [[Simon Theis Jensen]] – Creative Director, ESCN (Jan 2016–Sep 2017); previously Head of Art at Breakthrough Media; later Creative Director, The Network Hub.
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:Chalk: Both Daesh, al-Qaeda and right-wing extremists are creating aggressive messages that we are against.
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* [[Hugo MacPherson]] – Head of Network, ESCN (Jan 2015–); previously Deployable Civilian Expert (standby), Stabilisation Unit; launched MPower Youth Project in Hounslow while [[Sabin Khan]] was principal community cohesion officer.
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:1:31 pm
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* [[Tony McMahon]] – Head of Networks, The Network Hub (while at Breakthrough); later consultant for REOC Communications (Chalk).
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:Chalk: Not only a counter narrative is needed, but also alternative narratives. There is a need to show young people alternatives to terrorism.
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* [[Elliot Grainger]] – Head of Operations and Lead Consultant, ESCN (Jan 2017–Dec 2019); previously Strategic Advisor, RICU; team leader, UN Centre for Counter-Terrorism.
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:1:57 pm
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* [[Louis Brooke]] – Team Leader, Strategic Communications Advisory Team / SSCAT (while at Breakthrough); later Managing Director, Zinc Network.
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:Chalk: The Islamic State is a brand that has certain features that are advertised. It is sold like other brands. A brand relies on emotional attraction, it can be undermined if you show that the brand does not really deliver what it promises. It has been done. If the advertised item is not as advertised, it will soon become known.<ref name="Delfi"/>
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* [[Alex Lawrence-Archer]] – Strategy consultant, SSCAT (Jan 2015–Mar 2016); later UN Centre for Counter-Terrorism; director of Raedan Associates with Brooke.
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* [[Jamie Harbour]] – Consultant, ESCN (Jan 2015–Oct 2016); previously UK Foreign Office / UKRep to the EU.
  
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Miller’s 2022 report on the Radicalisation Awareness Network identifies Chalk as head of RICU from 2012 and notes that in March 2017 he was reported as Head of the ESCN. Chalk is also the sole director of REOC Communications Limited (registered 2006).<ref name="Miller">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.</ref>
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=== Belgian Ministry of the Interior / CUTA connected ===
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* [[Clement Coltellaro]] (CUTA)
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* [[An Michiels]] (CUTA; External Advisory Board, Trivalent project)
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* [[Giulia Giacomelli]]
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* Djamila Khibazieva (Belgian Ministry of the Interior)
  
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== Conference speeches ==
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== Activities and export of campaigns ==
  
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In June 2013 Chalk co-chaired the [[Global Counterterrorism Forum]]’s organised [[UN Conference on 'Best Practice in Communications']] in London. The talk concluded that “practitioners must take a strategic approach to countering violent extremism communications work and articulate the totality of a government’s engagement on a given issue”, and that “policies must be aligned with messages in order to be credible”.<ref>[https://www.opendemocracy.net/ben-hayes-asim-qureshi/going-global-uk-government-s-propaganda-and-censorship-silicon-valley-and-cve Going global: the UK government’s ‘CVE’ agenda, counter-radicalisation and covert propaganda] Ben Hayes and Asim Qureshi, ''Open Democracy UK'', 4 May 2016, accessed 10 May 2016</ref>
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ESCN staff reported working with multiple member states (including Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Austria and Germany) to map national CVE contexts, identify campaigning priorities, produce detailed reports and run workshops to develop campaign plans. Tony McMahon described building a network of European civil-society groups in France, Germany, the Benelux, Nordic region and southern Europe. Louis Brooke described establishing a network of senior officials from 24 member states and leading consultancy visits that resulted in dedicated units and campaigns. An internal SSCAT document (with the RICU logo) outlined a strategy for Swedish civil-society engagement that explicitly drew on RICU/Breakthrough campaigns such as Faith Associates / Imams Online and listed Sisters Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) as a partner for family-focused work. The document noted reluctance among some Muslim communities to discuss violent extremism and proposed amplifying “home-grown” religious voices.<ref name="Miller" />
  
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Chalk was invited to speak at the [[Security and Counter Terror Expo]] on 19 April 2016. His talk covered the efficacy of the Government’s [[PREVENT]] strategy in dealing with radicalisation.<ref>[http://www.counterterrorexpo.com/seminar/BREAK Session 2: Radicalisation, de-radicalisation] Security and Counter Terror Expo, accessed 10 May 2016</ref>
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In 2017 the RAN Centre of Excellence created a Joint Activity Plan for its Civil Society Empowerment Programme with the ESCN. ESCN advisory-team members were to participate in support and coordination meetings, contribute to kick-off events, provide training inputs, support dissemination, and share information on potential CSEP participants. The arrangement institutionalised a structural conflict of interest in which the same experts could advise on communications solutions and then deliver them in a consultancy capacity. RICU/ESCN personnel (including Elliot Grainger) also participated in adjacent bodies such as the High-Level Expert Group on Radicalisation and the EU Internet Forum.<ref name="Miller" />
  
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== Affiliations ==
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== Assessment ==
  
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Chalk is the sole director of [[REOC Communications Limited]] which was registered in 2006.<ref>Companies House [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/C-P4piD-x3S0pxXrnxnl0oqjpGk/appointments Richard Edward Oliver CHALK]. Accessed 27 February 2020.</ref> His former colleague at [[Breakthrough Media]], [[Tony McMahon]], lists a post as a consultant at REOC on his LinkedIn profile.
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Miller’s report characterises the ESCN as a covert operation led by the British intelligence-linked unit RICU (with assistance from Belgian intelligence via CUTA). Its objective, the report argues, is not the empowerment of independent civil society but the penetration of civil-society groups so that they carry state-sponsored messages into hard-to-reach (especially Muslim) communities. The password-protected nature of the platform, the revolving door between RICU/Breakthrough and ESCN roles, and the explicit confidentiality requirements around RICU involvement are cited as evidence.<ref name="Miller" />
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[[File:Screenshot 2020-02-27 at 22.24.29.png|right|thumb|300px|[[Tony McMahon]], formerly of [[Breakthrough Media]]/[[Zinc]], now a consultant at [[REOC Communications]]]]
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]]
 
* [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]]
 
* [[Breakthrough Media Network]] / [[Zinc Network]]
 
* [[Breakthrough Media Network]] / [[Zinc Network]]
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* [[European Strategic Communications Network]]
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* [[Radicalisation Awareness Network]]
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* [[Scott Brown]]
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* [[Civil Society Empowerment Programme]]
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* [[Tony McMahon]]
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* [[Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team]]
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* [[Bell Pottinger]]
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* [[Coordination Unit for Threat Assessment]]
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* [[REOC Communications Limited]]
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* [[Network Hub]]
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* [[Hugo MacPherson]]
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* [[Richard Chalk]]
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* [[Luke Havill]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
  
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* [https://powerbase.info/images/4/47/RAN_FINAL.pdf David Miller, ''The Radicalisation Awareness Network: Policy network in search of an evidence base or covert propaganda platform?'' (Spinwatch / Public Interest Investigations, February 2022) – Chapter 5]
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* [https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/603836/EPRS_STU(2017)603836_EN.pdf European Parliament research report on SSCAT/ESCN (November 2017)]
 
* [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/inside-ricu-the-shadowy-propaganda-unit-inspired-by-the-cold-war ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2016 (“Inside Ricu…”)]
 
* [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/inside-ricu-the-shadowy-propaganda-unit-inspired-by-the-cold-war ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2016 (“Inside Ricu…”)]
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* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/help-for-syria-aid-campaign-secretly-run-by-uk-government ''The Guardian'', 3 May 2016 (“Help for Syria…”)]
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* [http://www.politicheeuropee.gov.it/media/3221/programma-del-seminario.pdf Club of Venice seminar programme (16–17 March 2017)]
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* [http://www.cageuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CAGE_WACI.pdf CAGE report (2016): “We are completely independent”]
 
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* [http://www.politicheeuropee.gov.it/media/3221/programma-del-seminario.pdf Club of Venice seminar programme (March 2017)]
 
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* [https://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/blogi-terrorismikonverentsilt-tallinnas-kuidas-vastab-euroopa-terrorismile?id=77729236 Delfi reporting on Tallinn conference (30 March 2017)]
 
 
* [https://heakodanik.ee/uudised/mis-euroopa-vastus-terrorismile-tule-konverentsile-30-martsil/ Hea Kodanik (27 March 2017)]
 
* [https://heakodanik.ee/uudised/mis-euroopa-vastus-terrorismile-tule-konverentsile-30-martsil/ Hea Kodanik (27 March 2017)]
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* [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/C-P4piD-x3S0pxXrnxnl0oqjpGk/appointments Companies House: Richard Edward Oliver Chalk / REOC Communications Limited]
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* [https://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/blogi-terrorismikonverentsilt-tallinnas-kuidas-vastab-euroopa-terrorismile?id=77729236 Delfi blog of Tallinn conference (30 March 2017)]
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* [https://powerbase.info/images/4/47/RAN_FINAL.pdf David Miller, ''The Radicalisation Awareness Network'' (Spinwatch / Public Interest Investigations, February 2022) – Chapter 5]
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* [https://archive.is/cuEiY Luke Havill LinkedIn (archived)]
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* [https://www.opendemocracy.net/ben-hayes-asim-qureshi/going-global-uk-government-s-propaganda-and-censorship-silicon-valley-and-cve Open Democracy (Hayes & Qureshi, 4 May 2016)]
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* [https://archive.vn/d9zoH Simon Theis Jensen LinkedIn (archived)]
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* [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-cabinet-of-tomorrow-1277684.html ''The Independent'', 9 February 1997]
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* [https://archive.vn/viqPa Hugo MacPherson LinkedIn (archived)]
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* [http://www.prweek.com/article/505359/baverstock-handle-kenneth-clarkes-tory-leadership-bid ''PR Week'', 9 September 2005]
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* [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/C-P4piD-x3S0pxXrnxnl0oqjpGk/appointments Companies House: Richard Edward Oliver Chalk]
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* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1440203/Tory-media-chief-is-ousted-by-new-guard.html ''The Telegraph'', 31 August 2003]
 
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* [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/conservatives-refuse-confirm-role-london-1898046 ''Wales Online'', 17 September 2010]
 
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* [http://www.prweek.com/article/204668/bell-pottinger-iraq-democracy-pr-drive ''PR Week'', 11 March 2004]
 
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* [http://www.kippreport.com/article/testy-creatives-hit-back-at-saatchi-jibes/ ''Kipp Report'', 6 June 2008]
 
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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[[Category:British Propaganda|Chalk, Richard]]
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[[Category:British Propaganda|European Strategic Communications Network]]
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[[Category:Propaganda|Chalk, Richard]]
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[[Category:Propaganda|European Strategic Communications Network]]
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[[Category:Counter-Terrorism|Chalk, Richard]]
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[[Category:Counter-Terrorism|European Strategic Communications Network]]
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[[Category:UK|Chalk, Richard]]
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[[Category:EU|European Strategic Communications Network]]
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[[Category:RICU|Chalk, Richard]]
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[[Category:RICU|European Strategic Communications Network]]

Latest revision as of 21:23, 10 October 2026

EU strategic communications network (successor to the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team); notionally hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior and funded by the European Commission; in practice heavily staffed and directed by UK Home Office RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc personnel; key node in the export of RICU-style counter-narrative campaigns to EU member states and the Civil Society Empowerment Programme


European Strategic Communications Network

Type Members-only strategic communications platform / advisory team
Founded Circa 2015 (evolved from SSCAT)
Headquarters Notionally Belgium (emails on escn.ibz.eu domain; URL registered by Belgian Prime Minister’s office); operationally linked to UK RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc
Remarks Password-protected website; described as not operating in the public sphere; Miller report characterises it as a covert RICU-led operation with Belgian intelligence (CUTA) assistance


The European Strategic Communications Network (ESCN) is a members-only strategic communications platform and advisory team focused on countering violent extremism across EU member states. It evolved from the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team (SSCAT) and is notionally hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior and funded by the European Commission. In practice it has been heavily staffed and directed by personnel from the UK Home Office’s Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU) and its principal contractor Breakthrough Media Network / Zinc Network. It has served as a key vehicle for exporting RICU-style deniable counter-narrative campaigns into European civil society and for shaping the EU’s Civil Society Empowerment Programme (CSEP).[1][2]

Origins and remit

In 2014 the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator noted that expertise in strategic communications to counter the appeal of travel to Syria was scarce at EU level and recommended building on the considerable expertise available within RICU through the creation of a Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team. SSCAT was offered to interested member states (and, with EEAS support, third countries) to develop practical campaign communications solutions. The ESCN continued and broadened this work. Its stated purpose is to support capacity-building of member states and network members in their strategic communications response to violent extremism, through sharing of best practice, tailor-made consultancy, training and practical support.[1]

Unlike many EU initiatives, both SSCAT and the ESCN have not operated in the public sphere. The ESCN website is a locked, password-protected landing page. The domain was registered by the Belgian Prime Minister’s office in June 2018; staff emails use the escn.ibz.eu domain associated with the Belgian Ministry of the Interior. A 2016 think-tank report described a team of around ten experts funded by the European Commission, hosted by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior and supported by the British Home Office (with half the team coming from the UK).[1]

Relationship to RICU and Breakthrough/Zinc

A November 2017 European Parliament research report identified RICU as one of the key partners of both SSCAT and the ESCN. A British government memo to the Commission noted that RICU provides consultancy services to the ESCN as well as a bespoke consultancy service to network members. The same report recorded that RICU and the European Commission both work with Breakthrough Media to design campaigns. Official briefings in January 2015 indicated that British intelligence was slated for a key role in the SSCAT under the Belgian government.[1][3]

Miller’s analysis of open-source staffing data concludes that, despite the Belgian hosting, the project was predominantly staffed by individuals with recent or ongoing connections to RICU or Breakthrough/Zinc. Of thirteen identified staff, only four had no obvious RICU connection; all four were Belgian Ministry of the Interior officials, at least two of whom were employees of the Coordination Unit for Threat Assessment (CUTA), Belgium’s fusion centre for terrorist and extremist threat assessment. The five most senior roles (Creative Director, Head of Advisory Team, Head of Network, Director, Team Leader) each had significant history with RICU or Breakthrough, including the Network Hub model. Suggested speaking notes for an ESCN presentation in Rome (June 2019) listed members as “Mainly MoI”, “CUTA – BE fusion center” and “RICU – UK HO”.[1]

The Network Hub model pioneered by Zinc for RICU (an office producing campaigns for civil-society organisations while keeping RICU and Breakthrough involvement confidential) was adapted for European work. Staff revolved between RICU/Breakthrough and ESCN/Network Hub roles. Internal Zinc documents describe the model as bringing together organisations to campaign against extremism while attributing content to partner organisations rather than to the contractor or RICU.[1]

People

RICU / Breakthrough / Zinc connected

  • Richard Chalk – Head of RICU 2012–c.2015/16; reported as Head of the ESCN in March 2017; sole director of REOC Communications Limited.
  • Luke Havill – Head of Advisory Team, ESCN (Apr 2019–); previously Development Director, The Network Hub; Communications Adviser Europe with RICU-I; Head of Consultancy, Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team.
  • Simon Theis Jensen – Creative Director, ESCN (Jan 2016–Sep 2017); previously Head of Art at Breakthrough Media; later Creative Director, The Network Hub.
  • Hugo MacPherson – Head of Network, ESCN (Jan 2015–); previously Deployable Civilian Expert (standby), Stabilisation Unit; launched MPower Youth Project in Hounslow while Sabin Khan was principal community cohesion officer.
  • Tony McMahon – Head of Networks, The Network Hub (while at Breakthrough); later consultant for REOC Communications (Chalk).
  • Elliot Grainger – Head of Operations and Lead Consultant, ESCN (Jan 2017–Dec 2019); previously Strategic Advisor, RICU; team leader, UN Centre for Counter-Terrorism.
  • Louis Brooke – Team Leader, Strategic Communications Advisory Team / SSCAT (while at Breakthrough); later Managing Director, Zinc Network.
  • Alex Lawrence-Archer – Strategy consultant, SSCAT (Jan 2015–Mar 2016); later UN Centre for Counter-Terrorism; director of Raedan Associates with Brooke.
  • Jamie Harbour – Consultant, ESCN (Jan 2015–Oct 2016); previously UK Foreign Office / UKRep to the EU.

Belgian Ministry of the Interior / CUTA connected

Activities and export of campaigns

ESCN staff reported working with multiple member states (including Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Austria and Germany) to map national CVE contexts, identify campaigning priorities, produce detailed reports and run workshops to develop campaign plans. Tony McMahon described building a network of European civil-society groups in France, Germany, the Benelux, Nordic region and southern Europe. Louis Brooke described establishing a network of senior officials from 24 member states and leading consultancy visits that resulted in dedicated units and campaigns. An internal SSCAT document (with the RICU logo) outlined a strategy for Swedish civil-society engagement that explicitly drew on RICU/Breakthrough campaigns such as Faith Associates / Imams Online and listed Sisters Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) as a partner for family-focused work. The document noted reluctance among some Muslim communities to discuss violent extremism and proposed amplifying “home-grown” religious voices.[1]

In 2017 the RAN Centre of Excellence created a Joint Activity Plan for its Civil Society Empowerment Programme with the ESCN. ESCN advisory-team members were to participate in support and coordination meetings, contribute to kick-off events, provide training inputs, support dissemination, and share information on potential CSEP participants. The arrangement institutionalised a structural conflict of interest in which the same experts could advise on communications solutions and then deliver them in a consultancy capacity. RICU/ESCN personnel (including Elliot Grainger) also participated in adjacent bodies such as the High-Level Expert Group on Radicalisation and the EU Internet Forum.[1]

Assessment

Miller’s report characterises the ESCN as a covert operation led by the British intelligence-linked unit RICU (with assistance from Belgian intelligence via CUTA). Its objective, the report argues, is not the empowerment of independent civil society but the penetration of civil-society groups so that they carry state-sponsored messages into hard-to-reach (especially Muslim) communities. The password-protected nature of the platform, the revolving door between RICU/Breakthrough and ESCN roles, and the explicit confidentiality requirements around RICU involvement are cited as evidence.[1]

See also

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 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. ↑ European Parliament research report, November 2017 (as cited in Miller).
  3. ↑ Ian Cobain et al., “Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war,” The Guardian, 2 May 2016.
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