Why Social Media is Favored by the Kremlin
This week's indictment of a social media content firm highlights the increasing ease with which Russia can influence elections in the United States.
TroibNews 
New techniques have replaced Russian troll farms and automated bots as go-to strategies for influencing U.S. elections, utilizing a seemingly innocuous tool: social media influencers.
On Wednesday, the DOJ disclosed an indictment claiming that Tenet Media, a conservative social media firm, had been covertly funded by Russia. It was revealed that two operatives from the Russian government had directed roughly $10 million to Tenet Media, which in turn contracted recognized conservative figures like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and Dave Rubin. These influencers produced content that fueled political divides, earning over $400,000 monthly, although they claim to have been unaware of Tenet’s Russian connections.
According to Pekka Kallioniemi, a Finnish expert on disinformation and the forthcoming author of "Vatnik Soup," this strategy marks a significant evolution in Russia's online influence tactics. In an interview with PMG Magazine, Kallioniemi explained, "These people, they are also idolized. They have huge fan bases," adding, "They are being listened to and they are believed. So they are also a very good hub for spreading any narratives that would be pro-Kremlin narratives."
The affinity between the ideologies of U.S. far-right influencers and Russian traditionalist, family-oriented values facilitates this penetration, as both sides promote similar narratives. This influence, however, is not confined to the far-right; extremists on both ends of the political spectrum are targeted to fuel polarization.
Earlier Russian disinformation efforts focused on creating high volumes of online propaganda using troll farms, later incorporating automated bots. The current strategy involves leveraging influential social media accounts, "superspreaders," with extensive organic reach, which can push narratives into mainstream discourse more effectively.
The significant reach and credibility of these superspreader accounts have made them particularly valuable in disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives. Additionally, the seismic shift towards social media has afforded Russia unprecedented capability to inject its disinformation campaigns into Western discourse.
The recent DOJ indictment of Russian media executives for pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda doesn't surprise Kallioniemi, who views it as just the beginning of what's likely a broader network of influence operations masked behind complex international financial flows.
Ultimately, Russia aims to sow discord and distract countries, particularly the U.S., from effective foreign policy execution, thereby weakening their stance on the international stage.
In light of the sophisticated and covert nature of these operations, maintaining vigilance against disinformation is crucial, especially ahead of significant electoral events. Kallioniemi suggests that beyond immediate measures, enhancing education systems to foster critical thinking and media literacy is paramount in cultivating resilience against such influence campaigns. Additionally, he advises the public to periodically detach from digital platforms to mitigate the influence of potentially harmful narratives fostered online.As the election season approaches, understanding the dynamics of disinformation becomes increasingly critical. Kallioniemi emphasizes that education and media literacy should ideally be prioritized to combat the intricacies of these influence campaigns. "I've always said that the best antidote to this is education," he shares, while also acknowledging the timeliness issue regarding the upcoming November elections.
Countries like Finland serve as effective examples, showcasing how a robust education system can bolster media literacy and critical thinking skills. In essence, such education fosters cognitive resilience against propaganda, making individuals more skeptical of the content presented to them. “People should be more critical of what they read, especially on social media,” he advises. This is particularly pertinent as individuals need to recognize that some narratives may be intentionally spread by those financially incentivized to do so, as evidenced by the Tenet Media case.
The landscape of online discourse is populated by more than just organic exchanges; it often includes paid narratives, sometimes cloaked in legitimate-seeming content. Kallioniemi points out that a healthy dose of skepticism is essential for navigating this complex digital environment. He encourages everyone to practice due diligence when accepting information at face value, particularly when it comes to politically charged topics.
Moreover, Kallioniemi suggests taking more proactive steps to better one’s digital experience. "I always say that people should just close their computers and smartphones and go out and just live their lives and enjoy it," he remarks. This to him underscores the importance of finding a balance between engaging with technology and maintaining a fulfilling real-world existence. "The digital world can be pretty hostile, and it can bring out these negative emotions," he warns. Taking breaks from screens, whether through hiking, socializing, or engaging in hobbies, can mitigate the potentially corrosive effects of constantly consuming curated narratives online.
As complex and sophisticated as Russia's disinformation strategies are, Kallioniemi's insights point to a path forward that involves increasing awareness and understanding among the general public. Recognizing the patterns and motives behind these narratives will empower citizens to be more discerning consumers of information.
Ultimately, as the 2024 elections approach, a blend of education, critical thinking, and a mindful approach to media consumption will be necessary to counteract the tidal wave of disinformation likely to be unleashed. The stakes are high, and a proactive stance is essential for preserving democratic integrity in an era where the lines between genuine dialogue and manipulative influence are becoming increasingly blurred.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
On Wednesday, the DOJ disclosed an indictment claiming that Tenet Media, a conservative social media firm, had been covertly funded by Russia. It was revealed that two operatives from the Russian government had directed roughly $10 million to Tenet Media, which in turn contracted recognized conservative figures like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and Dave Rubin. These influencers produced content that fueled political divides, earning over $400,000 monthly, although they claim to have been unaware of Tenet’s Russian connections.
According to Pekka Kallioniemi, a Finnish expert on disinformation and the forthcoming author of "Vatnik Soup," this strategy marks a significant evolution in Russia's online influence tactics. In an interview with PMG Magazine, Kallioniemi explained, "These people, they are also idolized. They have huge fan bases," adding, "They are being listened to and they are believed. So they are also a very good hub for spreading any narratives that would be pro-Kremlin narratives."
The affinity between the ideologies of U.S. far-right influencers and Russian traditionalist, family-oriented values facilitates this penetration, as both sides promote similar narratives. This influence, however, is not confined to the far-right; extremists on both ends of the political spectrum are targeted to fuel polarization.
Earlier Russian disinformation efforts focused on creating high volumes of online propaganda using troll farms, later incorporating automated bots. The current strategy involves leveraging influential social media accounts, "superspreaders," with extensive organic reach, which can push narratives into mainstream discourse more effectively.
The significant reach and credibility of these superspreader accounts have made them particularly valuable in disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives. Additionally, the seismic shift towards social media has afforded Russia unprecedented capability to inject its disinformation campaigns into Western discourse.
The recent DOJ indictment of Russian media executives for pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda doesn't surprise Kallioniemi, who views it as just the beginning of what's likely a broader network of influence operations masked behind complex international financial flows.
Ultimately, Russia aims to sow discord and distract countries, particularly the U.S., from effective foreign policy execution, thereby weakening their stance on the international stage.
In light of the sophisticated and covert nature of these operations, maintaining vigilance against disinformation is crucial, especially ahead of significant electoral events. Kallioniemi suggests that beyond immediate measures, enhancing education systems to foster critical thinking and media literacy is paramount in cultivating resilience against such influence campaigns. Additionally, he advises the public to periodically detach from digital platforms to mitigate the influence of potentially harmful narratives fostered online.As the election season approaches, understanding the dynamics of disinformation becomes increasingly critical. Kallioniemi emphasizes that education and media literacy should ideally be prioritized to combat the intricacies of these influence campaigns. "I've always said that the best antidote to this is education," he shares, while also acknowledging the timeliness issue regarding the upcoming November elections.
Countries like Finland serve as effective examples, showcasing how a robust education system can bolster media literacy and critical thinking skills. In essence, such education fosters cognitive resilience against propaganda, making individuals more skeptical of the content presented to them. “People should be more critical of what they read, especially on social media,” he advises. This is particularly pertinent as individuals need to recognize that some narratives may be intentionally spread by those financially incentivized to do so, as evidenced by the Tenet Media case.
The landscape of online discourse is populated by more than just organic exchanges; it often includes paid narratives, sometimes cloaked in legitimate-seeming content. Kallioniemi points out that a healthy dose of skepticism is essential for navigating this complex digital environment. He encourages everyone to practice due diligence when accepting information at face value, particularly when it comes to politically charged topics.
Moreover, Kallioniemi suggests taking more proactive steps to better one’s digital experience. "I always say that people should just close their computers and smartphones and go out and just live their lives and enjoy it," he remarks. This to him underscores the importance of finding a balance between engaging with technology and maintaining a fulfilling real-world existence. "The digital world can be pretty hostile, and it can bring out these negative emotions," he warns. Taking breaks from screens, whether through hiking, socializing, or engaging in hobbies, can mitigate the potentially corrosive effects of constantly consuming curated narratives online.
As complex and sophisticated as Russia's disinformation strategies are, Kallioniemi's insights point to a path forward that involves increasing awareness and understanding among the general public. Recognizing the patterns and motives behind these narratives will empower citizens to be more discerning consumers of information.
Ultimately, as the 2024 elections approach, a blend of education, critical thinking, and a mindful approach to media consumption will be necessary to counteract the tidal wave of disinformation likely to be unleashed. The stakes are high, and a proactive stance is essential for preserving democratic integrity in an era where the lines between genuine dialogue and manipulative influence are becoming increasingly blurred.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
