Several media organizations have dismissed TikTok as a credible news source. Now, the Russian government is reportedly paying TikTok creators to post videos that are meant to promote the Putin government’s narrative.
Russian government is reportedly paying TikTok creators to share videos that promote the Putin government’s narrative
Hundreds of thousands of people have watched pro-Kremlin videos posted by Russian TikTok influencers. They have echoed Putin’s rallying cry to invade Ukraine. Many of the accounts have been anonymous. But a second wave of a similar narrative operation has appeared, featuring multiple users.
VICE News investigated the campaign to pay TikTok creators to promote the Russian government’s narrative. The report said that a secret Telegram channel had instructed these influencers on how to phrase their posts and what hashtags to use. It also warned that if they were found to be spreading false information, they could face up to 15 years in prison.
After the first wave of the narrative operation, some TikTokers pushed back publishing messages, and other influencers muted their comments to avoid criticism. Some TikTokers had their videos deleted. However, a few are still online.
The Russian government has tried to control the social media narrative on the war in Ukraine. Some have been blocked from Facebook and Instagram. But the TikTok platform has played a vital role in bringing news and updates to its large user base. The platform has also been used to document protests and the effect of economic sanctions.
While the White House has previously reached out to TikTok creators to dissuade them from spreading misleading information, the TikTok influencers have been paid to promote the Russian government’s narrative. In a press briefing, the White House discussed how it would respond to nuclear escalation by Russia and how it would fight misinformation on social media. The briefing was led by National Security Council adviser Matt Miller, and spanned Zoom.
During the briefing, White House officials explained that the purpose of the press briefing was to make sure that the American people had accurate information. They also outlined the millions of dollars the United States was providing to support the Ukrainian government, as well as America’s strategic goals in Eastern Europe.
A White House official told CNN that the goal of the briefing was to make sure the information was correct. He also said that the American government was committed to helping Ukraine recover from the war.
Legacy media organizations have dismissed TikTok as a reputable news source
Despite TikTok’s growing popularity, legacy media organizations have dismissed the site as a reliable source of news. Its users in Ukraine post regularly about the Russian invasion of their country. While the company claims to be a platform for fun and creativity, it also has strict content guidelines.
According to a recent survey by the Reuters Institute and University of Oxford, three-quarters of top newsrooms now post on the site. The Reuters Institute surveyed the top global newsrooms to discover what they’re doing on social media. The group said TikTok was one of the primary sources of footage from the Russian military. It’s also the most popular source of images of Russian military equipment.
The US government is currently investigating the Russian government’s campaign to pay TikTok influencers to spread pro-Kremlin narratives. As reported by VICE News, the campaign was coordinated. Some of the accounts contacted the site administrators and asked for money to post pro-Russia videos. These accounts include the @Enot_Kremle_Bot, which has tweeted video of fake civilian deaths in Ukraine.
In addition to its content guidelines, TikTok has explicitly banned political ads. The company also reportedly briefed its creators on national security. It’s possible that TikTok may allow exceptions for educational and public interest content. But this could reduce the discovery of some news content.
Last year, the White House recruited TikTok users for a vaccination effort. While the White House says its aim was to ensure that information was accurate, some critics argue that the call was little more than a PR move. The call was hosted by the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, and the special adviser to the White House National Security Council, Matt Miller.
On Saturday Night Live, a sketch of the call was shown. The resulting discussion focused on the United States’ involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was compared to a White House press briefing. The call was then reported by the Washington Post.
It’s important to remember that TikTok is owned by a Chinese company and is partly owned by the Chinese Communist Party. The US intelligence community fears that the company could share user data with the CCP. But the company has vowed to protect its users.
US government siding with reports of low morale among soldiers
Whether or not you’re in the US military, it’s hard to deny that the Ukraine has become a source of much of the country’s pain. On top of the political shenanigans, the economy is on the skids, and the country’s military budget has ballooned by a record amount. Not to mention the ensuing international isolation. It’s a tough nut to crack, and one that US leadership has been slow to address. It’s a situation that the country hasn’t seen since the dawn of the Cold War. Fortunately, there are a number of measures being taken to reduce the country’s military and economic stresses. Some of these measures include diplomatic engagement with Russia, and a major refocusing of military resources to bolster its defenses against an expected NATO withdrawal.
The US government has also been busy trying to appease the Ukrainians, as well as other EU nations, which has led to a revolving door in the Ukraine’s top brass. A number of seasoned veterans are being sent back to the barracks. A notable exception is Russian Navy commander Admiral Viktor Yankavsky, who is reported to be enjoying a relatively smooth transition into civilian life after a four year stint as a US army officer.
Russia won’t win in Ukraine
Despite the overwhelming firepower, Russia has lost significant ground in Ukraine. This is an embarrassment for the Putin government, as it was expected that the main counteroffensive would be in the south. It’s likely that this will be more of a battle between Russian forces and Ukrainians, rather than a full-scale war.
The Russian military has lost significant casualties. According to conservative estimates, the number of Russian troops killed in the past six months is more than 7,000. The Ukrainian armed forces have consistently demonstrated qualitative superiority. This has led to a feeling of panic among the Russian population.
The Ukrainian military has continued to fight more aggressively than the invading enemy expected. This has helped keep Moscow from gaining control of other major cities in Ukraine.
There are a number of reasons for the lack of battlefield success. This includes corruption and poor training. Also, Russia has squandered the majority of its manpower over the past seven months.
The Russian president may have painted himself into a corner. He can accept a humiliating NATO settlement, or he can risk losing power. There’s no way for the West to back Putin on either issue.
He could also use tactical nuclear weapons to wipe out a substantial portion of the Ukrainian military. If this were to occur, it would be a very dangerous move.
The United States has announced a new round of long-term military aid for Ukraine. This includes HIMARS rockets, which are devastating artillery systems. It’s also expected that the West will provide systems that can be used to negate large numbers of foot soldiers.
The Ukrainian public has continued to show a determination to win the war. But, with the loss of territory in the east, it’s clear that Russia won’t win. It’s possible that Russia’s military might prevail, but it will not be easy.
Ukraine is still in a tenuous position. It’s becoming increasingly dependent on Western military supplies and assistance. It’s not clear whether or not Russia will be able to keep its promise to give back the areas it annexed. Nevertheless, it’s possible that an incomplete victory for Ukraine will lead to a frozen conflict.
