Disinfo: Berlin refused to answer on why RT’s bank accounts were closed

Summary

The German government refused to answer the question of why COMMERZBANK has closed down the accounts of RT and Ruptly news agencies in Germany.

Disproof

Disinformation message regarding RT (formerly Russia Today), the Russian state-owned international network, painting the German government as a hostile body leaning toward censorship.

The German government did not refuse to answer the question but has in fact directly addressed this issue by denying any involvement in what is a private commercial matter: the closure of the RT accounts. At the same time it has rejected the threat and claims coming from Moscow accusing Germany of restricting press freedoms.

In the beginning of March 2021, the German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger said:

This is not the first time that the Russian government has tried to hold us responsible for a private-law business relationship between RT and its banks”, adding “On behalf of the Federal Government, I can once again state quite clearly that the Federal Government has in no way lobbied Commerzbank to end the business relationship.

Read similar claims in our database claiming that Russian media are being discriminated against in the Baltic States; or that the sanctions put on Dmitry Kiselyov do not concern RT; or that Russia doesn’t assault freedom of expression.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 235
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05/03/2021
  • Article language(s) Arabic
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Germany, Russia
  • Keywords: Media, RT, Russia Today (RT), Censorship, Russophobia, Anti-Russian
see more

Disinfo: The Great Reset plan aims to establish total control over people’s minds

The Great Reset plan, devised by globalist élites, aims to use the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to establish total control over people’s minds by means of total surveillance, censorship and manipulation of social media, and the collection of data on everyone.

Disproof

Disinformation presented without supporting evidence. This article combines recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about secret global elites who rule the world with the new Great Reset conspiracy theory. It is also consistent with narratives about the Covid-19 pandemic that are often spread by pro-Kremlin outlets.

The Great Reset is an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming the existence of a plot to create a global totalitarian regime to completely control the world's population by exploiting Covid-19. It is completely unfounded.

Disinfo: Heads of the world’s corporations, globalist leaders, mobilised to defeat Trump, Putin, Xi Jinping, Erdogan, and Khamenei

The heads of the world's corporations – Big Tech, Big Data, Big Finance - and globalist leaders have mobilised to defeat the opponents of globalism - Trump, Putin, Xi Jinping, Erdogan, and the Ayatollah Khamenei - through the control of public consciousness on a global scale and through internet censorship. This effort began when the globalists strove to steal the 2020 US presidential elections by using new technologies, introducing internet censorship and manipulating vote by mail. Biden’s policy is to use demonisation, de-platforming and network ostracism against anyone, in the US and abroad, who do not hold globalist views.

Disproof

This article repeats a recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about global/secret elites who rule the world, and aim to exercise total control over people’s minds and beliefs, censoring and suppressing any view that dissents from liberal-globalist “single thought”. It also contains the frequent conspiracy narrative claiming that the West seeks to undermine political leaders and states ( such as Russia, China and Iran) that challenge globalist hegemony.

The article is also consistent with the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign about the 2020 US presidential election that seeks to discredit US President Joe Biden and Western democracy.

Disinfo: The West supports the unofficial Russian opposition

The West gave widespread support to Russia's unofficial opposition and turned a blind eye to its domestic political problems. Unfortunately, many European Union countries do not seem to adhere to their principles under pressure from the United States.

Disproof

This claim includes two recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives.

First, the claim that the West is supporting what it describes as the "unofficial" Russian opposition is consistent with pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives that protests, disorders and civil uprisings are never manifestations of popular discontent but are directed and funded by Western intelligence services or other Western actors in order to destabilise targeted foreign states and bring about regime change.