How Russia Is Losing the Narrative War

RT television (Russia Today) and Sputnik multimedia, multilingual YouTube channels, and social media accounts are essential state-funded and directed global messengers within this ecosystem and the crucial pillars of Russia’s disinformation and propaganda.

RT and Sputnik also interact with other ecosystem posts by amplifying content from Kremlin and Kremlin-aligned proxy sites (some connected to Russian intelligence), modifying social media, and promoting cyber-enabled disinformation.

These channels were the means for multiple information campaigns against Western governments, prompting several high-level official complaints. 

Russia’s information war did not go on according to plan

Russia is stepping up efforts to manage the narrative over its invasion of Ukraine online and the airwaves. But tech giants, however are fighting back.

The reaction of the United States, European Union, west and tech giants band and restricted Russia’s information warfare to reduce propaganda during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  

Google committed that it had removed Russian state-funded publishers RT from its news-related features after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and various sanctions against Russia to stop disinformation campaigns online.

Both Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook owner Meta restrict Russia’s state-controlled media outlets in Ukraine. Across the European Union, the company’s head of global affairs said on Monday. 

YouTube to block Russian news outlets, RT and Sputnik, across Europe. Twitter also reduces tweets’ visibility linking to Russian state media outlets on its platform while expanding its prior policy of labelling the media outlets themselves. 

Microsoft has also announced new measures to crack Russia’s disinformation system and further reduce exposure to Russian state propaganda. Instagram and TikTok also restrict Russian media channels ahead of a likely European Union ban. 

Tech giants are being placed in a complicated situation as the conflict in Ukraine fuels an information war from both sides.

European governments have pressed US tech platforms to take intense action on Kremlin-affiliated media outlets. And Russia threatened the companies with an Advertising ban, slowdowns and shutdowns.

But the announcements and new restrictions on Russian state-backed media by tech platforms and tech giants show how Russia is losing the narrative war. 

Edited By- Subbuthai Padma

Published By- Satheesh Kumar