How to Combat Russian Disinformation
New Russian Disinformation
The FBI along with other government agencies issued a warning about two recent fake videos created and circulated by Russian disinformation networks. Current Russian disinformation seeks to cast doubt on the American election process and to provide false support to claims of voter fraud. These new videos make up just a fraction of the fake news and disinformation Russia will spread during the 2024 campaign and its aftermath.
The BBC Verify fact-checking service found evidence linking these two debunked videos to other coordinated Russian fake news operations. These videos purport to come from the FBI, and include the FBI logo, making it harder to spot the fake for those not attuned to the threat of disinformation. The FBI also flagged a third Russian disinformation video showing a FALSE story of Haitians voting illegally in the US election.
Why Is Election Disinformation Exceptionally Dangerous?
Russian election disinformation is exceptionally dangerous to the United States. The FBI explained why on X:
“Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI operations undermines our democratic process and aims to erode trust in the electoral system.”
China, Iran, and Russia seek to create doubt in our government, in our election, in the United States, in democracy around the world, and to polarize American citizens. Free and fair elections, trust in our elections, trust in the democratic process, and trust in the peaceful transfer of power are hallmarks and pillars of American democracy.
Much disinformation has been identified already. Still, it’s likely just the beginning. Fake news may come at us “fast and furious”. The Russians and others are using AI, which can proliferate disinformation exponentially faster than other means.
The US government warns:
“In the lead up to election day and in the weeks and months after, the IC [Intelligence Community] expects Russia to create and release additional media content that seeks to undermine trust in the integrity of the election and divide Americans.”
Fortunately, there are many steps we can take to combat disinformation. Russian, Chinese, and Iranian disinformation is no longer an unknown enemy or form of attack.
Pause, stay calm, and think, don’t link.
How To Combat Disinformation
In the weeks and months ahead, keeping a cool and objective head when hearing news or information about election results, voter fraud, and vote certification will be critical. We know Russia, China, and Iran will continue to use disinformation and fake news to attack our election, our system of government, and to try to divide already-polarized Americans. It’s not a question of if disinformation and fake news will be launched, but of when, how, and how much.
Most important is how we deal with it. It’s up to all US citizens to not allow a foreign country to interfere in our country and our election. Regardless of political party. To combat Russian disinformation, we will all need to be constantly aware of the threat when processing information, particularly online and on social media.
Five Steps to Combat Election Disinformation
1. Be aware of the issue of disinformation, and suspicious of attempts to cast doubt on the validity of the US election process.
Tip: Pause and pause again before believing. Election fraud in the US is incredibly rare, far rarer than disinformation.
2. Don’t assume a source comes from where it says it does. Assume it doesn’t.
Tip: Don’t click on links to stories and videos or watch random videos about fraud, the election, and the candidates. Go directly to the source the video or news item purports to come from.
3. If a video or claim comes from an account with few followers and has garnered few comments, it’s more likely to be disinformation.
Tip: Disinformation attempts use AI in what’s known as “viewbotting” or false “bot” accounts that seem like real people but are not, to appear to boost viewer counts.
4. Pay attention to the issues the claims target.
Tip: Be wary of voter fraud allegations, claims in swing states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia, and claims about Haitians and other non-citizens voting.
5. Instead of clicking on links to inflammatory and upsetting claims or videos, bookmark and use reliable sources and fact checking outlets to find out if a claim is true.
Tip: BBC News, BBC Verify, AP News, APNews Fact Check, Adfontes Media Bias Chart, and Politifact are all reliable non-partisan sources for facts, bias, and reliability checks, as well as fact checking. Check claims you see on TikTok, X, and Facebook on these reliable sources.
This video shows how to spot disinformation: be skeptical and suspicious, especially if it’s emotional.
What Does the US Recommend Citizens Do About Disinformation?
The US government has made the following recommendations to the American public when evaluating new claims:
Use critical thinking to evaluate info sources
When viewing content, consider who produced it
Seek out reliable, verified information
Learn about the tactics of foreign disinformation, including generative AI and deep-fakes
Look for labels that may identify AI-generated content
Be aware of Russian, Chinese, and Iranian goals to undermine confidence in U.S. institutions and processes
“Think Before You Link”: check reported claims through trusted, official sources before sharing
Forewarned is forearmed. Knowing about the risk of disinformation is our greatest weapon to combat it.
Non-Exhaustive List of Recent Election Disinformation
The FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have specifically debunked a viral video showing men claiming to be Haitian and voting multiple times in Georgia in the US presidential election, as Russian-made and FALSE.
Federal agencies have debunked a video purporting to show a poll worker destroying mail-in ballots marked for Donald Trump in Pennsylvania: this too was made by Russians and FALSE.
Federal agencies debunked altered content created and spread by Russia to smear Democratic VP Nominee Tim Walz for allegedly illegal activity early in his career, which is FALSE.
Official Sources Monitoring Disinformation Threats
To keep abreast of further government identification of disinformation and fake news circulated by Russia and others, view these official cites and reliable sources for fact-checking:
CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, provides updates and useful information on its website about known potential disinformation threats and the modus operandi for Russian, Chinese, and Iranian government-sponsored disinformation.
For the latest official updates, visit:
-Outlines latest confirmed and publicized disinformation threats. Check back often.
CISA and the FBI have issued the following warnings and briefings, which provide examples and background. These should be required reading for all Americans, including:
-comprehensive listing of disinformation tactics and what we can do about them as average citizens.
*Just so You Know: Foreign Threat Actors Likely To Use A Variety of Tactics to Develop and Spread Disinformation During 2024 U.S. General Election Cycle
-important update of what to be aware of
*Election Security, Rumor v. Reality
-addresses common disinformation narratives by providing accurate information related to elections.
*15 Days Until Election Security Report
-details disinformation tactics and actions of Russia, China, and Iran.
