Disinfo: The effort to fight fake news is an effort to censor information

Summary

The effort to fight fake news is an effort to censor information not convenient for the government. It is not a fight against easily refutable hoaxes.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on western media not being independent

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 52
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15/12/2016
  • Outlet language(s) Czech, English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US
  • Keywords: Propaganda, Censorship
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Disinfo: Sweden tells municipalities to prepare for war

Sweden tells municipalities to prepare for war and 150 troops were put on permanent service on the island of Gotland, not far from Russian territory.

Disproof

Although it is true that a Swedish state agency has informed the municipalities about their responsibilities in rebuilding the civil defence in Sweden, this is aimed at increasing the ability of the society to deal with destabilization in the form of antagonistic actions in peacetime (such as political, psychological, economic and military influence operations), to increase the ability to identify and counter intelligence operations, cyber attacks and information operations against the country, as well as increase the ability to resist an armed attack on Sweden from qualified opponents. The Swedish Civil Contingency Agency describes its mission here. Gotland is part of Sweden's sovereign territory and has had Swedish military presence since 1645 as it is of strategic geographical importance. As Russia and Sweden are neighboring countries, naturally it is not far from Russian territory.

Disinfo: Western governments’ efforts to spread Russophobia are obvious but futile

Western governments’ efforts to spread Russophobia are obvious but futile.

Disproof

Despite current difficulties in the relationship with Russia, the EU and its Member States have maintained a clear policy of reaching out to Russian society and youth, mainly through the Erasmus+ student exchange programme and other people to people contacts. It is worth noting that the Russian MFA's use of the word Russophobia soared massively since 2014 when the international community critizised Russia for their illegal actions in Ukraine, whereas it was barely used before that. More details here.

Disinfo: Al Quds hospital in Aleppo was never bombed

Al Quds hospital in Aleppo was never bombed.

Disproof

Al Quds hospital was bombed, and the proof can be found here bit.ly/2gJhVaN, . This was also confirmed by MSF at the scene bit.ly/2hhIvsE, . The video of alledgedly "independent" journalist has gone viral and is claimed by various conspiracy sites to show how mainstream media is lying to the world about Syria. Eva Bartlett, the woman in the video, writes for various conspiracy sites including SOTT.net, The Duran, MintPress and Globalresearch.ca and she appears regularly on Russia Today. Bartlett was recently a guest of the Assad regime, attended a regime sponsored PR conference and went on a tour of regime-controlled areas bit.ly/2hC7IyB, . bit.ly/2gHPLN1, .