Disinfo: Facebook and Instagram, under US influence, removed the verification mark from Maduro’s accounts

Summary

Facebook and Instagram are acting illegally under Washington’s influence. After Trump’ statement about Nicolas Maduro, they removed the verification mark from Maduro’s accounts, without any justification.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy about US and social media.

Facebook's blue verification badge lets people know that a Page or profile of public interest is authentic. According to Facebook, it is applicable to "eligible brands, media organizations and public figures". There are few steps to be taken in order to get it.

Instagram is owned by Facebook since 2012. According to an Instagram spokeswoman, "Nicolas Maduro was not verified on Instagram or Facebook, and we did not remove verification from his account".

Further debunking by AFP and The Insider.

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Reported in: Issue 134
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 24/01/2019
Language/target audience: Russian
Country: Venezuela, US
Keywords: Nicolas Maduro, Facebook
Outlet: RIA Novosti

Estonian Politicians have turned their country into a small and angry anti-Russian project that tastes like Baltic herring deep-fried in lard

In the Baltic States, the idea of nationhood exists only as an idea of resistance to Russia. Estonian politicians use aggressive provocations against Russia to deflect the attention from their failures on the welfare of the people. Estonian politicians have turned their country into a small and angry anti-Russian project that tastes like Baltic herring deep-fried in lard.

January 28, 2019

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation undermining the statehood of the Baltic countries.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania became independent in 1918. Three countries were occupied and illegally incorporated first by the Soviet Union, then by Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1944, and again by the Soviet Union from 1944 to 1991, when they regained the independence.

50 Churches in Ukraine have been seized from the Moscow Patriarchate

During the past few months, the self-proclaimed rulers in Kiyv have seized about 50 churches in Ukraine from the Moscow Patriarchate. Although it was promised that there be no involuntary action, churches are, according to the new laws, seized from the Moscow Patriarchate.

January 28, 2019

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation: a similar story was aired in the autumn of 2018 by the Russian TV-station Perviy Kanal: 50 churches taken from Moscow Patriarchate.

According to the new Ukrainian law on religious communities, the membership in a religious community is based on the principles of free will. The decision to change the subordination of a community or transfer its property is made by the religious community itself, based on majority vote.

Ukrainian TV Channel broadcasting in Belarus is part of Ukraine’s information war against Russia

Ukrainian UATV channel broadcasting in Belarus will empower extremist elements and contribute to polarization of Belarusian society. This is part of Kyiv’s strategy to develop an information war against Russia via the Belarusian media space and with the assistance of Ukrainian special bodies.

January 28, 2019

Disproof

No proof given to support these claims.

This claim echoes the pro-Kremlin narrative about anti-Russian propaganda spread by Ukrainian media, at times with Western support. See earlier examples here and here.