Russian state media utilizes American right-wing and Chinese media to shape narratives about the war in Ukraine, pulling information from global sources to create an alternate reality for domestic viewers.
The leaked emails from a Russian state media agency revealed the sophisticated process of crafting narratives and spreading disinformation, showcasing the scale and coordination of Russia's propaganda machine and its impact on shaping public perception.
Deep dives
Russian state media creates alternate reality for domestic viewers
The New York Times conducted an investigation into how Russian state media uses American right-wing and Chinese media to shape narratives about the war in Ukraine. The investigation revealed that Russian state media pulls information from global sources, including memes, social media posts, and cable news clips, to create an alternate reality for domestic viewers. Email exchanges within a Russian state media agency showed the sophisticated process of crafting these narratives and spreading disinformation. The investigation highlighted the scale and coordination of Russia's propaganda machine and its impact on shaping public perception.
Leaked emails provide a rare glimpse into Russian state media propaganda
The investigation utilized leaked emails from a Russian state media agency, providing insights into the propaganda machine. The emails revealed the day-to-day operations, including discussions about story ideas, scripts, and coordination with Russian security services. The authenticity of the emails was verified through cross-checking email addresses and matching scripts to on-air broadcasts. The emails showcased the lengths to which Russia goes to shape narratives, mix reliable and fringe sources, and spread disinformation to support its campaigns.
Sophistication and breadth of Russian disinformation campaign
The investigation demonstrated the sophistication and breadth of the Russian disinformation campaign. Russian state media targeted conservative outlets and lesser-known fringe media, such as Tucker Carlson and right-wing YouTube channels, to cherry-pick content that aligns with their narratives. They also selectively translated global media clips, flattening nuanced perspectives into misleading quotes to fit their agenda. The campaign extended beyond Russia, with coordination between Russian and Chinese state media to spread disinformation about bio-weapon labs and COVID origins. The investigation highlighted the remarkable level of coordination and effectiveness of Russia's disinformation efforts.
Outlook and challenges for combating Russian disinformation
The investigation suggests that Russia's disinformation campaign will continue and intensify. Despite cracks in trust and access to outside information, Russia is likely to adapt and find new ways to spread disinformation. The challenge lies in countering these efforts by developing tools and strategies to combat disinformation, especially as authoritarian regimes may seek to replicate Russia's tactics. The investigation sheds light on the scale and resources dedicated to sustaining Russia's disinformation campaigns and emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the challenges posed by disinformation.
On December 15, the New York Times published an article that detailed an investigation conducted by three of its reporters into how Russian state media uses American right wing and Chinese media to portray the ongoing war in Ukraine to Russian citizens. The investigation utilized thousands of leaked emails from correspondence within a Russian state media agency and with Russian security services, to uncover how the Kremlin crafts its narratives and spreads disinformation to its people.
To unpack the findings of the investigation and their implications, Lawfare associate editor Katherine Pompilio sat down with the journalists that conducted the investigation: Paul Mozur, a New York Times correspondent focused on technology and geopolitics in Asia; Adam Satariano, a New York Times technology correspondent focused on digital policy; and Aaron Krolik, an interactive news journalist and developer also at the Times. They discussed how they conducted their investigation, Russia's propaganda machine that they describe as the country's greatest wartime success, the limits of the disinformation campaign, and more.
