NATO Considers Countermeasures as Russian Media Influence Spreads – Report
RT and Sputnik have attracted millions of users from Africa and the Middle East, leading NATO to suggest new strategies aimed at countering their influence. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A recent NATO report underscores the significant growth of Russian state media outlets RTN and Sputnik in Africa and the Middle East, where these platforms have amassed millions of new followers.
The document, released on Tuesday by the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, delves into the expansion of Russian media influence following the intensification of the Ukrainian conflict in early 2022. With these Russian state-backed outlets facing extensive bans in the West, they redirected their efforts toward other regions.
According to the findings, RTN Arabic's audience increased by ten million since the onset of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, Sputnik Arabic ramped up its content production, posting 30–35% more frequently, and saw an 80% boost in engagement on social media. Russian embassies across Africa also experienced a notable 41% increase in social media followers, indicating a broader trajectory of growing Russian media prominence in non-Western areas.
The report indicates that these outlets have utilized "anti-colonial narratives" and discontent with Western policies, particularly in Africa, attributing this to lingering historical connections to the Soviet Union that continue to influence public perceptions. These narratives have found resonance with audiences skeptical of Western institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the International Criminal Court.
While StratCom COE aimed to project its findings regarding the entire Global South, the investigation specifically focused on the actions of Russian media and social media activities linked to Russia—albeit without substantial evidence—in Egypt, Mali, Kenya, South Africa, and the UAE.
The report's authors grappled with terminology, opting to forgo the term 'Global South' due to an "increasing pushback" against it. They also dismissed the phrase 'majority countries,' arguing that it has been championed by various “malign actors” to further their agendas. Instead, the report introduces the term ‘Multi-aligned Community,’ vaguely defining it as “states existing outside of the Western environment who have exhibited a preference for aligning or partnering with chosen states depending on specific spheres or issues.”
In light of the growing influence of Russian media, the NATO report recommends new countermeasures to mitigate Moscow’s expanding reach. One of the key strategies is to initiate a NATO-led effort to engage with audiences in Africa and the Middle East, thereby enhancing direct communication and addressing concerns regarding Western policies.
Furthermore, the report advocates for collaboration with local media outlets to “counter disinformation” and promote local “independent journalism.” It also emphasizes the need for stronger partnerships with civil society organizations to foster diverse perspectives and counter what it characterizes as “one-sided narratives” from Russian state media.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
The document, released on Tuesday by the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, delves into the expansion of Russian media influence following the intensification of the Ukrainian conflict in early 2022. With these Russian state-backed outlets facing extensive bans in the West, they redirected their efforts toward other regions.
According to the findings, RTN Arabic's audience increased by ten million since the onset of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, Sputnik Arabic ramped up its content production, posting 30–35% more frequently, and saw an 80% boost in engagement on social media. Russian embassies across Africa also experienced a notable 41% increase in social media followers, indicating a broader trajectory of growing Russian media prominence in non-Western areas.
The report indicates that these outlets have utilized "anti-colonial narratives" and discontent with Western policies, particularly in Africa, attributing this to lingering historical connections to the Soviet Union that continue to influence public perceptions. These narratives have found resonance with audiences skeptical of Western institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the International Criminal Court.
While StratCom COE aimed to project its findings regarding the entire Global South, the investigation specifically focused on the actions of Russian media and social media activities linked to Russia—albeit without substantial evidence—in Egypt, Mali, Kenya, South Africa, and the UAE.
The report's authors grappled with terminology, opting to forgo the term 'Global South' due to an "increasing pushback" against it. They also dismissed the phrase 'majority countries,' arguing that it has been championed by various “malign actors” to further their agendas. Instead, the report introduces the term ‘Multi-aligned Community,’ vaguely defining it as “states existing outside of the Western environment who have exhibited a preference for aligning or partnering with chosen states depending on specific spheres or issues.”
In light of the growing influence of Russian media, the NATO report recommends new countermeasures to mitigate Moscow’s expanding reach. One of the key strategies is to initiate a NATO-led effort to engage with audiences in Africa and the Middle East, thereby enhancing direct communication and addressing concerns regarding Western policies.
Furthermore, the report advocates for collaboration with local media outlets to “counter disinformation” and promote local “independent journalism.” It also emphasizes the need for stronger partnerships with civil society organizations to foster diverse perspectives and counter what it characterizes as “one-sided narratives” from Russian state media.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
