By Trend News Line 2024-06-02 13:05:00.
Recently unearthed documents have revealed that leaders of an online news site aimed at Americans have received money from both Russian and Iranian government media outlets, showcasing the complexity of foreign influence operations in the digital age. Hacked emails and other documents from the Iranian government-funded Press TV show payments to a writer who is now Washington-based editor for Grayzone, a publication whose founder has ties to Russian television.
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The overlap in funding has raised concerns among misinformation experts as the spread of falsehoods and propaganda online becomes more intricate leading up to the November election. Emerson Brooking, co-director of the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensics Research Lab, described the convergence as a practical example of how foreign influence can infiltrate American media.
The documents from Press TV, released on Telegram in 2022 by a hacktivist group called Black Reward, reveal payments made to a Washington-based reporter who also worked for Russia’s Sputnik news outlet. The reporter, Wyatt Reed, has been associated with Grayzone and has been critical of Israel and its supporters in the U.S. Reed did not respond to requests for comment, and Grayzone top editor Max Blumenthal also did not provide a statement.
The First Amendment protects free speech rights, even for Americans believed to be spreading foreign propaganda. However, current and former intelligence officials warn that foreign-backed disinformation poses a significant threat to U.S. democracy. The lack of transparency in foreign funding for media outlets makes it challenging to identify and combat these operations effectively.
Reed is not the only Grayzone author to have ties to Russian outlets. Contributors Mohamed Elmaazi and Jeremy Loffredo have also worked for Russian media companies. The payments to Reed from both Iranian and Russian sources highlight the blurred lines between foreign influence and independent journalism.
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The implications of working for sanctioned Iranian media entities and Russian outlets raise legal concerns for journalists. While Reed’s activities may fall under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the application of this law to journalists remains ambiguous. The cooperation between Iran and Russia in funding individuals like Reed further complicates the attribution of responsibility for spreading disinformation.
Grayzone, known for its critical coverage of Western governments and alignment with authoritarian states, has gained a substantial following on social media platforms. The publication’s blend of truth and misinformation challenges traditional journalistic norms and influences a diverse audience across the political spectrum.
The exposure of foreign funding in American media underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the digital news landscape. As geopolitical alliances continue to evolve, the threat of foreign influence operations targeting U.S. audiences remains a pressing concern for national security and democratic integrity..
– Long-tailed keyword from Iran’s PressTV: “Russian outlets paid U.S. contributors who also run Grayzone”
– Long-tailed keyword from Iran’s PressTV: “Iran’s PressTV exposes Russian outlets paying U.S. contributors associated with Grayzone”.
