Ask HN: How can we improve propaganda and censorship capabilities of the US?

Given the evolving strategic situation around the world, the past few United States Defense Science Review Boards have argued that US propaganda and censorship capabilities have fallen behind the times.

https://fas.org/irp/agency/dod/dsb/commun.pdf http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/ADA476331.pdf

The current practice of perception management, informed by global surveillance programs, can be described as an inter-departmental effort whereby availability of information is altered to suite US National Security interests.

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/doctrine/jwfc/sc_hbk10.pdf

Unfortunately, much of the current capability to manipulate perceptions still resides in television, radio, paper and other news broadcasting. Social media efforts like those within the Center for Global Engagement don't have the capabilities dreamed of by DARPA's Strategic Communication in Social Media research program - which studies the dynamics of social media to grant military and police the ability to influence social media conversation by the strategic manipulation of key social influencers and info paths.

How can we, at HN, magnify America's capability to manipulate perceptions around the world and at home? What are some of the key insights that are being missed by the intelligence and military and policing communities?

We have a unique opportunity to bring technical sophistication and creativity to disrupt and outperform the current state of the art in this crucial arena of state power.

What is HN's suggestions for how to improve the effectiveness of propaganda and censorship in the age of social media and internet broadcasting?

[Note: we are currently experimenting at HN with a week of no politics. Please do not discuss whether we should improve and extend perception management capabilities. There are other places to have such conversations this week. Please focus on how to most effectively improve perception management capabilities.]