DHS has published its social media spying manual which seeks to classify news media and bloggers as potential terrorists.
Department of Homeland Security National Operations Center Media Monitoring Capability
Desktop Reference Binder 2011:
Sec. 2.2 IOI Severity Chart
The Item of Interest (IOI) Severity Chart is a tool that provides MMC analysts with a process to
assess the severity of a news story and the urgency in which the corresponding IOI should be
distributed. Determining the severity of an IOI allows analysts to triage news stories and send
out time-sensitive pieces first, followed by less acute stories. The IOI Severity Chart is broken
down into five categories, from “Urgent” to “Validate.” Each category explains the threat
assessment, when distribution should occur, and the probable source. So, for example, if an
analyst has two stories that are fit to distribute, the analyst will use the Severity Chart to
determine the order of distribution and follow-ups.
DHS's IOI Severity Chart's, top 5 terrorism concerns are:
#1 - Catastrophic- bombing, a breaking news story has not yet reached national or local print.
#2 - Highly Destructive- Hurricane, tornado or a publicized terrorist threat; national or local print.
#3 - Low Threat- Border patrol threats, health concerns; national or local print.
#4 - Of Interest- Drug Busts, additional articles that are not subjective in nature; national or local print.
#5- Subjective- Reports on Federal Agencies, local print etc.
The DHS monitoring center has assigned "Brad Mitch or other team leads" who will classify your posting or article about DHS!
Media Monitoring Capability Mission & Reporting Parameters:
Sec. 1.1.1 Leverage Operationally Relevant Data
Leveraging news stories, media reports and postings on social media sites concerning Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and National Health for operationally relevant data, information, analysis, and imagery is the first mission component. The traditional and social media teams review a story or posting from every direction and interest, utilizing thousands of
reporters, sources, still/video cameramen, analysts, bloggers and ordinary individuals on scene.
Traditional Media outlets provide unmatched insight into the depth and breadth of the situation,
worsening issues, federal preparations, response activities, and critical timelines. At the same
time, Social Media outlets provide instant feedback and alert capabilities to rapidly changing or
newly occurring situations. The MMC works to summarize the extensive information from these
resources to provide a well rounded operational picture for the Department of Homeland
Security.
Sec. 1.2 Critical Information Requirements
The attribution of IOIs by CIR allows the MMC to catalog articles into five specific categories depending on the potential impact or type of article that is being distributed. These CIRs include:
1) Potential Threat to DHS, other federal, and state/ local response units, facilities,
and resources.
2) Potential impact on DHS capability to accomplish the HSPD-5 mission.
3) Identifying events with operational value…corroborating critical information.
4) Identifying media reports that reflect adversely on DHS and response activities.
5) Standing HSC planning scenarios.
Sec. 1.3 Item of Interest Categorization
The categorization of IOIs in the daily log allows analysts to track the types of articles that are
distributed as they relate to 14 characterizations. These include:
1) Terrorism: Includes media reports on the activities of terrorist organizations
both in the United States as well as abroad.
13) Reports on DHS, Components, and other Federal Agencies: Includes both
positive and negative reports on FEMA, CIS, CBP, ICE, etc. as well as
organizations outside of DHS.
Sec. 1.5.4 Events of High Media Interest of International Significance
Periodically, there are events that the NOC constantly monitors – both national and international
– and are listed on the NOC Priorities and Monitoring Report (Section 3.9.23, National
Operations Center Priorities and Monitoring Report). The MMC will monitor such events to see
if an IOI is warranted. Usually these events will be included in the OPSUM even though they
may not seem to be a high priority for the NOC, and in this case, would simply be used to
enhance situational awareness. Some of these events may be issued an NOC-assigned number
and in this case, the MMC will publish IOIs in the same manner as it would for NOC Notes,
Steady States, or NSSs/ISSs. These do not get added to the COP unless the NOC directs the
MMC to do so.
http://cryptome.org/2012/05/dhs-sm-spy-guide.pdf