Disinformation Warfare, Part One - The Troll Farm | Investigation
Apr 23, 2024
auto_awesome
Peter Pomerantsev discusses the evolution of Russian disinformation tactics, highlighting the Internet Research Agency's propaganda strategies. The podcast delves into the challenges of democracy, social media manipulation, and Kremlin's narrative shaping in Ukraine.
Russia utilizes social media to spread conspiracy theories and misinformation, undermining trust in democracy.
The Kremlin employs a mix of online propaganda, street riots, and cyber attacks to destabilize regions and advance political agendas.
Deep dives
The Internet Research Agency's Covert Operations
In 2015, St. Petersburg's Internet Research Agency operated as a troll farm orchestrating online attacks against the West. Employees wrote horoscopes and spread disinformation implying European Union complicity with the US and painting Ukraine in a negative light. When journalist Lead Miller Sabchok infiltrated the agency, she discovered its extensive manipulation tactics through social media. Despite her efforts to expose the farm's activities, the global response was lackluster, highlighting the challenges in combating such sophisticated disinformation campaigns.
Russia's Influence Tactics and Motivations
Russia's propaganda strategies have evolved from idealistic motivations to raw dominance desires, influencing through covert means like spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation. The Kremlin utilizes social media to target specific audiences worldwide, fostering distrust in democracy. By white jamming and overwhelming information spaces, Russia undermines trust in honest systems and amplifies societal polarization.
Russian Influence Operations in Ukraine and Crimea
Russia's influence operations in Ukraine and Crimea showcase a blend of online propaganda, street riots, and cyber attacks to sow discord and manipulate perceptions. From orchestrating copycat uprisings to falsifying referendums and promoting separatist movements, Russia's tactics aim to destabilize regions and push its own political agendas.
Estonia's Experience with Russian Propaganda and Cyber Attacks
In 2007, Russia targeted Estonia, using propaganda to stoke unrest over the removal of a Soviet-era statue and inciting street riots. Subsequent cyber attacks paralyze the country, demonstrating the power of disinformation and hybrid warfare tactics. Estonia's situation underscores the complex challenges in countering information warfare and asymmetric threats.
Just how influential is the 'white noise' of information, and disinformation, emanating from Russia?
In this first of two special episodes on the phenomenon of modern disinformation, Ukrainian-British journalist and author Peter Pomerantsev, reveals the evolution of the dark tactics the modern Russian state uses to cripple both neighbouring countries, and dissenters within its own borders.
From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Ashley Clivery. Music by Nick Ryan.