Russian propaganda efforts aided by pro-Kremlin content creators, research finds
A small network of pro-Kremlin content creators have seen their audiences grow dramatically in recent months while spreading disinformation about the war in Ukr
A small network of pro-Kremlin content creators have seen their audiences grow dramatically in recent months while spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine, evading social media platforms’ efforts to curb Russian propaganda and paving a path to Western audiences, according to research published Wednesday.
The creators are self-described “independent journalists” whose reports are often made from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and amplify Kremlin talking points and downplay or deny reported Russian atrocities. Researchers say the on-the-ground reports — which come in English, French, German and other languages — have proved effective at circumnavigating commitments from European governments and U.S.-based social media platforms to stop the spread of Russian propaganda.
Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, many tech platforms took steps to curb the amplification of false Russian narratives.
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube blocked Russian state-controlled media in Europe and throttled recommendations of those accounts. Facebook and YouTube have banned Russian state-controlled media outlets from advertising. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube apply labels and links to fact checks on content that violates their policies against disinformation about the war.
Most of these efforts focused on official Russian government and state media accounts. That plan, while partially effective, misses a major vector of Kremlin disinformation, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a London-based think tank that produced the research.
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