DISINFO: US intelligence agencies pressured Western media into accusing Russia of invading Ukraine
SUMMARY
Under pressure from US intelligence agencies, Western officials and media have recently accused Moscow of massing troops and military forces with the intention of invading Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This claim is part of a current disinformation campaign aiming to deflect attention away from Russia’s military build-up on its border with Ukraine since late October 2021 by accusing Western media of only reporting on this issue because they are pressured by US intelligence agencies.
Contrary to the claim, reports and expressions of concern about military preparations and mobilisation of Russian troops is not a “campaign against Russia”, but a fact confirmed by satellite images and intelligence of the US, Ukraine and NATO, among other countries and institutions. See for example the 16 December NATO statement calling on Russia to immediately de-escalate tension. See also the 24 January 2022 EU statement condeming Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine.
There is no evidence that the US or any other intelligence agency pressured officials or media to report the amass of Russian forces in a certain way. The European Union as a whole is committed to respecting the freedom and pluralism of the media as well as the right to freedom of expression - which includes the right to receive and impart information without interference by public authorities. Currently, the EU is preparing a 'Media Freedom Act', a law that will include rules on cross-border functioning and ownership of media inside the EU to prevent government interference.
See other similar disinformation cases claiming that US media are a lie factory serving secret agendas,the NYT article on Russia and Catalonia was paid by Europe and NATO; its author linked to US intelligence.