This is part of a Washington Examiner investigative series on self-styled ‘disinformation’ tracking groups that are secretly blacklisting and trying to defund conservative media outlets. 
Here
 is where you can read the series.

EXCLUSIVE — Republican Sens.
Marco Rubio
(FL) and
Ron Johnson
(WI) are demanding an investigation into the United States government
bankrolling
an organization that is secretly
blacklisting
and trying to defund conservative media outlets. 

The Global Engagement Center and the National Endowment for Democracy, two State Department-backed entities,
have granted
$665,000
combined
to the Global Disinformation Index, which is feeding conservative website blacklists to advertising companies. Now, Rubio and Johnson are calling for an inquiry into how taxpayer dollars have flowed to GDI, which intends to shut down disfavored speech.

WATCH: INGRAHAM ANGLE TOUTS ‘FANTASTIC’ WASHINGTON EXAMINER REPORT ON STATE DEPT. CENSORSHIP

“Free speech is fundamental to preserving our liberty,” Johnson, ranking member on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, told the Washington Examiner. “If taxpayer dollars are being used to censor voices because they are critical of the administration’s disastrous policies, every American should be concerned. We need to further investigate this potential Fi …