False information (misinformation and disinformation) and fake news is a 21st plague. Propaganda has been used for generations to influence people, but the new digital world we live in has amplified this to an entirely new level. One of the key players in weaponizing misinformation is Russia. The country is a forerunner in launching disinformation campaigns.
Russian fake news has a primary goal of sowing discord and creating distrust in foreign governments, as well as manipulating general public opinion. Russia targets itself to control Russian public opinion, leaving many citizens in the dark about many issues. Russia fake news attempts are affecting other nations including primarily the United States, Ukraine and several European countries.
It is highly probable that Ukraine vs Russia fake news has successfully skewed the picture of the invasion (Feb 2022) and ensuing war for Russian citizens.
Fighting fake news starts with an understanding of the fake news campaigns, how they are spread, and how best to counteract them.
Fake news is defined as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation, disguised as legitimate news. The goal is to mislead, deceive, and manipulate the target audience. While illegitimate news is always fabricated, it can range from subtle distortions and real events. These attempts are designed to create emotional responses, most notably fear, confusion and anger. The result is skewed public perceptions. Influence political opinions and exacerbate divisions in society.
Because we increasingly live our lives online these days, the digital format has become a tool that makes it easy to shape narratives on a massive scale. This can be attributed to the use of social media platforms, which allows the spread of information (true and false) to millions of people around the world with the click of a button. This fabricated news thrives on such platforms because the algorithms in place ensure that content reinforces current biases and makes it simple to spread sensational material that may not be accurate.
This environment results in loads of misleading information that people accept as true, which poses the risk of skewing public perceptions, sowing discord, and influencing democratic decision making.
Russia has been manipulating the news for years, but its sophistication and precision has advanced dramatically with the rise in social media usage around the world. Disinformation strategies, which are present on fake Russian news sites, in addition to popular social media like Instagram and Facebook, aim to advance the country’s political ideals and destabilize adversaries. Other methods used to spread false news include bot networks and state-controlled media outlets.
One of the most prolific methods used to spread fake news is social media. This is done by creating fake accounts, which are used to flood social media platforms with content intended to create chaos and division. These accounts appear to be ordinary citizens, influential individuals or activists, lending them fake credibility that amplifies specific messages to the target audience. By adding false narratives in the mainstream, it makes it difficult for the general public to determine what’s true and what’s not.
Russia also relies heavily on automated bot networks, which can disseminate information quickly and efficiently. The bots make it appear that certain posts are popular by artificially boosting their likes and adding comments. The result is posts that are misinformation, but appear to be real and supported, since they are trending or going viral.
State controlled media outlets, such as Sputnik and RT, are a central player in the spread of made-up news. In reality, these are fake Russian news sites that are masquerading as legitimate. However, they are distorting facts, holding back vital details, and promoting only pro-Russian viewpoints. Russia uses these channels to reach a wide audience, spreading only narratives that align with their strategic interests.
Using these methods in combination with one another, Russia has been able to create and spread a complex mish mash of disinformation that blurs real and fake, thereby influencing political outcomes and perceptions across the globe.
Combating fake news, especially the sophisticated measures taken by Russia, involves a many step process that involves governments, individuals, media outlets, technology companies, and the public as a whole. Listed below are some of the best practices for flagging, debunking and preventing Russian fake news.
To effectively fight fake news, it must first be recognized. Fact checking services are invaluable in providing resources that verify the accuracy of information that’s shared on social media or fake news websites. That includes reverse image searches, flagging missing information, and evaluating sources to effectively reduce the spread of false news.
Governments naturally want to combat fake news, so their involvement is key. They can do this through introducing relevant legislation, creating partnerships, and launching public awareness campaigns. A dedicated method of monitoring and countering disinformation from Russia also helps. Media must have high standards for content and tech companies can create advanced algorithms to prioritize credible information.
Informing the public is the best way to prevent the spread of fake news. Media literacy educates the general public so they are well informed and able to detect disinformation so they can disregard it. This also helps control the spread of fake news.
Below are a couple of high profile instances of how Russian propaganda has influenced global affairs.
During this event, Russian media spread disinformation on a global scale, releasing fake news that called the Ukrainian government fascist and corrupt. The result was confusion and false support for Russia’s illegal activities.
Russia’s interference in the United States election in 2016 aimed to undermine candidate Hillary Clinton, while also promoting Donald Trump. This was done using fake news, hacked emails, and manipulating social media posts. Thousands of fake accounts were created to deepen the social divides among parties.
During the pandemic, Russia spread disinformation campaigns, calling into question vaccines and the origin of the virus. This heightened public fear and created confusion about treating the illness.
The Osavul platform shows tons of progress in efforts to fight disinformation, particularly Ukraine vs. Russia fake news, and that is affecting the United States and Europe. It’s designed to detect, analyze and combat fake news, using sophisticated algorithms and artificial intelligence. It monitors social media and news sites to watch for emerging disinformation campaigns.
Osavul uses natural processing language to detect patterns associated with fake news. It works to make a distinction between authentic public sentiment and disinformation campaigns, which makes it easy to counter false news when it appears. The system flags potential misinformation, finds where it originated, and tracks where and how far it is spread.
This helps governments, media outlets, and society as a whole.The platform also educates via media literacy and public awareness campaigns. This gives users the knowledge and skills they need to identify and reject phony news.
Russia has found new and innovative ways to spread fake news, posing a dangerous threat to itself and the rest of the world. Effectively countering disinformation is vital for protecting citizens and governments. Doing so involves a multi-faceted approach, including public education and software like Osavul.
