Disinfo: Suppression of media freedom is the norm in the Baltic States

Summary

Suppression of media freedom and violation of the rights of national minorities have become a norm in the Baltic States. Extremist parties, movements and groups that spread the ideology of Nazism, racial superiority, discrimination and xenophobia are feeling more and more at ease.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Baltic States. Consistent with the narrative that the West is dominated by fascist/ Nazi groups and ideology. Estonia ranks 11th in the World Press Freedom Index, 2019. Latvia and Lithuania rank 24th and 30th accordingly. Russia currently ranks 149th out of 180 countries, one place down since the last year. Painting the Baltic States as Nazis is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation tactic. See related examples of disinformation cases here, here and here.

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sputnik-georgia.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 188
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/02/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Baltic states
  • Keywords: Censorship, Freedom of speech, Sputnik
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Disinfo: White Helmets carry out criminal activities and are an arm of British and American intelligence

Russia was able, in cooperation with Syrian journalists, to prove that the allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons [in Douma] are pure slander by the Western-backed White Helmets.

The organisation [White Helmets] is funded by British intelligence services and is performing its functions by disseminating information and allegations against Syria and its army.

The White Helmets are an arm of British and American intelligence, and its founder, British intelligence officer James Le Mesurier, was killed in “mysterious circumstances” near his home in Istanbul last November.

The organization uses “humanitarian mask” as a cover for its criminal activities. It cooperates with the “Jabhat al-Nusra” organisation, which controls most of Idlib governorate.

Feb 26, 2020
Disproof

An example of many disinformation and propagandist claims about the White Helmets. Pro-Kremlin media routinely accuse the White Helmets of “working for terrorists” and being a creation of the Western intelligence services. No evidence is given to support these claims.

The "White Helmets" movement originated in Syria in 2012. The organisation, which is made up of 3,400 volunteers including teachers, engineers, tailors and firefighters, states that it has no affiliation to any political or military actor and is committed to rendering services to anyone in need. Volunteers save people from the rubble after bombings, despite the danger of dying themselves as a result of repeated air strikes.

Disinfo: Coronavirus is an artificial virus

Indian scientists have been experimenting with new coronavirus and have discovered that it contains two types of coronavirus – bat and snake, as well as four types of HIV viral infections. In December 2019, we learned about the COVID-19 virus in China. The most interesting is that just a few months before, US President Donald Trump announced that “Unless China pulls itself together, they will be sorely regretting.” Given the findings of Indian scientists, we come to the conclusion that this is an artificial virus.

Feb 26, 2020
Disproof

The statement is another example of conspiracy narratives on a plot against China, profitable to the US. See more examples of groundless statements about the coronavirus here.

A preprint scientific manuscript published Jan. 31 by a group of Indian researchers suggested that the virus, known as COVID-19, may have been deliberately engineered using the HIV. The findings, which fed conspiracy theories that the new virus might be a bioweapon, have sparked a huge controversy. The authors withdrew the paper on Feb. 2 from the bioRxiv preprint server.

Disinfo: Crimea rejoined the embrace of Russia

Crimea rejoined the embrace of Russia.

Feb 26, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Crimea did not "return" to Russia but was illegally annexed by Moscow.