Anti-Ukraine trolls' "Operation Matryoshka" campaign to spread more fake news

Not content with simply creating and spreading fake news – anti-Ukraine trolls are now also using a new disinformation tactic: a disinformation method dubbed “Operation Matryoshka” (or Russian doll), exposed by the “Bot Blocker” collective and AFP fact-checkers.

Why is there more "flying objects" fake news since the Chinese balloon? • FRANCE 24 English

Since February 4th when the "Chinese spy balloon" was shot down in American airspace, several videos have emerged claiming to show "unidentified flying objects" in many international skies. We spoke to a UFO and sky anomalies expert about how Beijing's balloon sparked this type of misinformation, in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.
 

“Fake news inception:” fake Charlie Hebdo editions and a fake cover story • FRANCE 24 English

 There have been at least six fake covers of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo circulating online, especially on Russian Telegram channels, over the past six months. And it's not the only part that’s fake: for one of them, the cover story it’s relaying is also fabricated. We take a closer look in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.

On World Press Freedom Day: Myanmar Has Charged A Japanese Journalist With Spreading Fake News

 Myanmar's military leaders having taken a page from the orange a-holes play has charged a Japanese freelance journalist for spreading fake news while reporting on the protests against the military coup in that country. One can assume that the irony of charging a journalist on world press freedom day just escaped them. 

 Yuki Kitazumi , 45, could face a jail term of up to three years if convicted under the penal code as amended after the February coup.

Kitazumi was arrested and taken from his home in Myanmar's largest city Yangon on April 18. He is being held in a Yangon prison known for housing political prisoners.

The journalist has shown no health problems, an embassy official said, adding that the embassy will continue to urge the military government to release him.

His arrest came amid ongoing protests against the military, which took control of the government in a coup on Feb. 1 by ousting the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

How Countries Have Criminalized Journalism

As Donald Trump campaigned and ultimately won the election in 2016 he has used the trope of fake news in an effort to dismiss unfavourble broadcast or printed material.  Leaders of similar political persuasion to use this criticism enact laws which can be used by governments to suppress the media and free speech.

Malaysia and Singapore were the first to pass such laws as these governments have used the legal system in the past to quash political dissent which makes these laws a natural evolution of  or a continuance of need to quite critics. 

In The Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has had a long running animus with media outlets that have been critical of his war on drugs which has led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.  As a result of this Duterte has sought to shutdown these media outlets with the latest victims being the countries largest broadcaster ABS-CBN which had its franchise renewal denied following a vote by the Philippine congress which is controlled by Duterte's party. 

Authorities in Malaysia have arrested six journalists from Al Jazeera over program they contributed to which investigated the treatment of migrant workers in Malaysia during the recent coronavirus lockdown. What are they accused of?

Six journalists including five Australians are being interrogated by Malaysian authorities who have accused them of sedition and defamation after the broadcast of a documentary about migrant workers in Kuala Lumpur during Covid-19.

A week after the broadcast of the Al Jazeera English documentary in Malaysia, the journalists were ordered to attend the police station for questioning on Friday morning.

Malaysian police have told them they are being investigated for sedition, defamation and violation of the country’s Communications and Multimedia Act.

Officials have also issued a search notice for a migrant who was interviewed during the documentary, prompting concern that he may be retaliated against. Earlier this week, the immigration department urged the public to come forward with information about the man.

 

Donald Trump And The Trump Affect On Journalism

During Donald Trump's campaign for the White House he'd often rail at what he called the fake media for reporting on what he actually said rather than what wanted them to broadcast or print.  He made these especially unwarranted  comments at his campaign events.   This led to journalists from several organizations needing security provide an escort from the event.  Katy Tur of MSNBC  was a consent target of his vitriolic machinations.  On several occasions the Secret Service provided security as to enable her to safely leave these campaign events.   Donald Trump's continued pronouncements of fake news provided cover for those leaders and countries seeking avenues for controlling the media to enact so "called fake news laws."       

Singapore which has been ruled by the Peoples Action Party and the Lee family since independence in 1965 signed  the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill into law last October.  Any reasonable person might think, yes there needs to be an means to fight against broadcast or printed misinformation.  Except that the government of Singapore has a history of using the courts and British colonial era laws to stifle descent by perceived political rivals and against the media.  

Lawmakers in Albania followed Singapore and passed the anti-defamation package all in an effort to fight against "fake news."  

They aren't the only countries to enact such laws they can be found in Europe and South America as well.

Donald Trump and his administration have gone further.  They've stopped holding regular press briefings, in fact this has become common practice throughout his administration including the various departments such as State and Defense.  As the reporting on the administration has become more the critical they've barred reporters from various news organizations from participating in public media events or traveling with cabinet secretaries. The last being the reporter from National Public Radio that was barred from the plane carrying Mike Pampeo after what was considered a hostile interview with one of its reporters on the subject of the Ukraine.  

Now Boris Johnson and his senior media advisers have taken up the Trump mantel and barred political reporters from a press briefing at No. 10 Downing Street.    

Journalists in Downing Street walk out after Johnson aide tries to exclude some reporters

Political journalists have boycotted a briefing at No 10 Downing Street after one of Boris Johnson’s aides banned selected reporters from attending.

The walkout took place after a confrontation inside No 10 in which Lee Cain, Johnson’s most senior communications adviser, tried to exclude reporters from the Mirror, i, HuffPost, PoliticsHome, Independent and others.

Reporters on the invited list were asked to stand on one side of a rug in the foyer of No 10, while those not allowed in were asked by security to stand on the other side.

Trump Wants To Create A Fake News Network For Morons

Donald Trump the moron in chief  has proposed the creation of a news network to counter, what he calls the fake news presented by CNN.  Just think about it. The most watched international news network is CNN International based in Hong Kong followed by the BBC World Service. 

Let's be real: Donald Trump wants to create a sycophantic news service to assuage his fragile ego. Last summer he offered high praise to North Korean state run television for their unquestioning love of  Kim-Jong un. Of course, if they did't they'd be shot.

 U.S. President Donald Trump is raising the possibility of starting "our own Worldwide Network" to counter news spread internationally by CNN.

Trump said via Twitter on Monday that CNN "has a powerful voice portraying the United States in an unfair and false way. Something has to be done."

It wasn't immediately clear what he meant. The U.S. government already operates Voice of America, which last year reached some 275 million people worldwide with news reports from the United States available on television, radio, online and social media.

Perhaps he can establish a Ministry of Truth.  

Trump Calls For "Civility" In Politics

The irony of that statement must escape the orange sky god. A man who's called the journalists the enemy of the people, fake news, dishonest and promoters of violence.  He praised a current member of Congress for assaulting a journalist from the Guardian. Katy Tur, because of his attacks was forced to be escorted by the Secret Service due to threats of violence at various campaign events. 

President Donald Trump has called on people to be more civil in politics, after a series of suspected explosives were sent to high-profile US figures.

He was speaking after parcels were sent to CNN and top Democrats, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

None of the packages exploded. The FBI has launched a hunt for their sender.

The president's critics called his latest remarks hypocritical, as he often uses vicious language against his opponents and the press.

Speaking at a Wednesday night rally in Wisconsin, the president vowed to catch the perpetrator and called on the media to "stop endless hostility".

"Those engaged in political arena must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective," he said.

"No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historic villains, which is done often," he added.

Meet Donald Trump's Enemies Of The People

Donald Trump loves to call news that criticizes him fake and those that report on his misadventures and constant lying enemies of the people.  Are those mentioned below enemies of the people and purveyor’s of fake news. No. They were just attempting to due their jobs

Al Jazeera corespondent Mahmoud Hussein has been in prison for 575 days in Egypt without having ever been charged with a crime.

Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were jailed in Myanmar accused of stealing state secrets after they attempted to report on human rights violations by the army against over the killing of 10 Rohingya men in Rakhine state.

Already more than four dozen journalists killed in 2018

Twenty-two journalists - including 11 in Afghanistan and two in Palestine - have died in targeted killings this year, frequently in retaliation for their work on exposing corruption or the activities of crime syndicates

Four journalists were killed while covering conflicts or civil unrest, and another 

Hun Sen taking Donald Trump’s fake news complaints to the next level

Cambodia 'fake news' crackdown prompts fears over press freedom

Cambodia’s media has under come increasing pressure after the closure of one independent newspaper and sale of another

The Cambodian government is extending its crackdown on “fake news”, just weeks before the increasingly authoritarian government of prime minister Hun Sen heads to the polls.

A new directive aimed at fake news posted on websites and social media platforms could see violators jailed for two years and fined US$1,000, according to a report in the Khmer Times.

Websites will now also be required to register with Cambodia’s information ministry. Pos Sovann, an official from the ministry said the directive was effective immediately.five died while on assignment. Of the 49 journalists killed, four were women.

Don't Like The News: Call If Fake And Jail Those Who Spread It

Taking a page from the Donald Trump play book (All news that shows me in a bad light is fake.) the government of Malaysia has introduced legislation to parliament that if passed would imprison those convicted of spreading false or defamatory news whatever that maybe. 

The prime minister, Najib Razak, has been dogged by a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal involving an indebted state fund, and activists fear the new law could be used to criminalise critical opinions on government misconduct. A general election is widely expected in the next few weeks.

The anti-fake news bill, which must be approved by parliament, calls for penalising those who create, offer, circulate, print or publish fake news – or publications containing fake news – with a 10-year jail term, a fine of up to 500,000 ringgit (£90,000) or both.

The bill defines fake news as “any news, information, data and reports which is, or are, wholly or partly false whether in the form of features, visuals or audio recordings or in any other form capable of suggesting words or ideas”.

It covers all media and extends to foreigners outside Malaysia if Malaysia or its citizens are affected.

Not to worry Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has taken up the mantra as well with his attacks on the Asahi Shinbun

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has continued to criticize the Asahi Shimbun national daily over its coverage of a favoritism scandal involving Osaka-based school operator Moritomo Gakuen.

Abe has attacked the paper five times during recent Diet deliberations, while posting a message describing the Asahi as "pitiful" on the Facebook page of a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) legislator.

Trump Unleashes Another Whiny Tweet Storm

Donald Trump back from his why is everybody mean to me world tour has unleashed upon the world another whiny tweet screed about the fake news and the mistreatment of Jared Kushner and the scandal that his consuming is brief time in office: Russia. Of course it's all fake news and media is lying.