US Accuses Russia of Trying to Influence 2024 Election
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The U.S. has charged and sanctioned several Russian state media executives and Kremlin-linked news outlets as part of an election interference probe.
The Details: The Department of Justice claims Russian state-funded RT (Lean Right bias) paid $10 million to a Tennessee-based media company to “create and distribute content to US audiences with hidden Russian government messaging.” The U.S. also seized 32 internet domains it believes the Russians were using to “promote AI-generated false narratives.”
Charges: The Treasury Department sanctioned 10 RT employees, including editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, who it described as a “central figure in Russian government malign influence efforts.” The DOJ is also charging two for money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
For Context: The Tennessee company that allegedly received the funding is reportedly Tenet Media, which lists online personalities like Tim Pool (Lean Right bias) and Benny Johnson as some of its creators. In July, the DOJ seized a Russian “bot farm” that it claimed was established by RT and was being used to “spread disinformation in the United States and abroad.” In response to the seizure, RT’s press office said, “Farming is a beloved pastime for millions of Russians.”
Key Quotes: Garland said in a statement on Wednesday, “An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that it is a goal of the campaign to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election.” In response to the accusations, RT said, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,” and “2016 called and it wants its clichés back.”
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From the Left
Russia accused of trying to influence US voters through online campaignThe Biden administration has accused Russia of carrying out a sustained disinformation campaign targeted at American voters and meant to influence the outcome of November’s presidential elections.
In its most direct accusation of election meddling to date, the US government accused the state-financed RT (formerly known as Russia Today) and other Russian state-backed media of spearheading a covert campaign of disinformation promoting pro-Kremlin views laundered through their online and television networks.
The treasury department also sanctioned the RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, and nine other employees of the network over the campaign of disinformation around...
From the Center
US accuses Russia of 2024 election interferenceThe US has charged and sanctioned Russian state media executives and restricted Kremlin-linked broadcasters as it accused Moscow of a widespread campaign to interfere with the presidential election.
The justice, state and treasury departments announced coordinated actions on Wednesday to "aggressively counter" the alleged operations.
Attorney General Merrick Garland accused state broadcaster RT, formerly Russia Today, of paying a Tennessee firm $10m to "create and distribute content to US audiences with hidden Russian government messaging".
RT boss Margarita Simonyan was one of 10 people sanctioned for alleged attempts to harm...
From the Right
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