As Congress debates major new funding to support the Ukrainian war effort, U.S. taxpayer dollars are already flowing to outlets such as the New Voice of Ukraine, VoxUkraine, Detector Media, the Institute of Mass Information, the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine and many others.
Detector Media, one of the most influential media watchdog groups, similarly produces a flow of social media and posts branding American critics of the war as part of a Russian disinformation operation.
Detector Media only cited a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Defense Forces disputing the Times' story, which it labeled as "Disinformation." The New Voice of Ukraine quoted a Ukrainian official describing the Times story as a "Russian Psyop," a term for psychological warfare.
Detector Media has similarly led a consortium of nonprofit groups pressuring social media platforms to aggressively remove content critical of Ukraine.
Immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, the USAID dispensed emergency grants to its media partners, partly through the Zinc Network, a contractor based in London that has been accused of setting up covert public relations campaigns on behalf of the British government.
The grant description notes that the money went to the Zinc Network and Detector Media to assist the Ukrainian government with strategic communications and to "Undermine Kremlin information operations." Far from independent reporting, the grant instructions asked the recipients to provide "Quick, effective PR and media engagement." In addition to countering Russian disinformation, the money was intended to "Maintain public morale" and "Bolster international support for solidarity with Ukraine."
Internews Ukraine, the company's in-house Ukraine media outlet, also signed the statement supporting the On Media Law.
Internews is a significant pillar of USAID's $35 million Ukraine media program.
NED, the former CIA arm, has publicly touted the effort to pass the On Media Law for its work in reshaping Ukraine's media landscape.
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