Disinfo: There is an ongoing media campaign to divide Russia and Spain

Summary

There is a media campaign to divide Russia and Spain, where the Spanish press often promotes an image of Russia that is not attractive but charged with negative connotations. The media, instead of building international bridges and promoting constructive dialogue, mutual respect and understanding between countries, do the opposite. A situation that is due to many circumstances that condition the work of the press, including the need to have financial support, something that certain groups exploit for their own interests. This is where the fairy tale of Russia as guilty of everything comes.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia as an innocent victim always falsely accused, aiming to deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s illicit actions.

Contrary to the claim, negative reporting about Russia in the Spanish press is not due to any campaign but to its actions, which go against international law. For example, the illegal annexation of Crimea and the promotion of war in Eastern Ukraine, the poisoning of rivals in the UK and Bulgaria and the murder of enemies in Germany, the perpetration of war crimes in Syria, the persecution of Russian opposition, and the interference in political process all over the world, including the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

Regarding Russia’s meddling in Catalonia, one of the main negative topics reported by Spanish media in relation to Moscow, Spanish journalist David Alandete and researcher and associate professor at Georgetown University Javier Lesaca have demonstrated that Russian state outlets and bots tried to influence the pro-independence referendum in October 2017. In September 2021, The New York Times reported about contacts between top Catalonian pro-independence figures and Russian officials, which were acknowledged by former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and his top advisor Josep Lluis Alay.

See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Western criticism of Russia is due to Russophobia, that an anti-Russian campaign is the real reason behind the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Czechia, that Washington and Brussels implement an information war against the people of Russia and Belarus, or that RT and Sputnik are repeatedly being accused without evidence.

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publication/media

mundo.sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 267
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 22/10/2021
  • Article language(s) Spanish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Spain
  • Keywords: Information war, Mainstream media, Media
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Disinfo: US is to bomb "old continent" as an "escape" from Russian threat for its allies

The United States is working to bomb the territory of the "old continent" with thermonuclear weapons as an "escape" option from the "Russian threat" for its European allies and partners.

Oct 21, 2021
Disproof

A disinformation narrative that portrays the United States as the puppet master deciding on the destiny of the European continent.

There is nothing to suggest that the United States is working to bomb European countries. This narrative appeared in relation to the Steadfast Noon military exercise. It is a NATO-led exercise with dozens of aircraft from across the Alliance practising the defence of NATO’s European Allies. It is hosted by a different NATO country each year. Steadfast Noon involves training flights with dual-capable fighter jets, as well as conventional jets, backed by surveillance and refuelling aircraft. No live weapons are used.

Disinfo: Russia is not part of the internal conflict in Ukraine

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Oct 21, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that only Ukraine and the two pro-Kremlin illegal separatists territories are warring sides in the Donbas conflict, while Russia is not part of this conflict but is a mediator.

It is an internationally established fact that Russia is a party to the Donbas conflict. The leaders of the Group of Seven, who met in Cornwall on 11-13 June 2021, said in a communiqué: “We remain firmly of the view that Russia is a party to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, not a mediator.”

Disinfo: Political establishment in the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine are driven by Russophobia

Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine are ready to compromise their security and sovereignty for the interests of the US and UK, which carry out anti-Russian and anti-Belarusian activities. The political establishment of the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine does not act based on national interests. Instead, they are driven by Russophobic mythology, dream about great power ambitions which undermine their stability and international security. Against this background, Belarus rightly fosters its participation in Russia-led integration initiatives to strengthen sovereignty and development potential.

Oct 21, 2021
Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about ubiquitous Russophobia portraying the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine as puppet-states of the US and UK.

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