This time around, the US has seized a network of Russian-run internet domains, and sanctioned ten people including Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT (formerly Russia Today), for “activities that aim to deteriorate public trust in our institutions”. Sanctions include freezing any property or assets in the US, and potentially restrictions on any US citizen or company that works with them.
Here are five key features of Russian information manipulation we identified, and which can help understand the latest election-meddling scandal.
- Using local influencers
- Fake news outlets
- Adding fuel to the fire
- Flipping the script
- Humour
They’re just trying to lay the groundwork for someone to blame if they lose.