AN INTERNATIONAL DISINFORMATION campaign that was uncovered in June after it targeted outlets including The Journal with pro-Kremlin content has now been directly linked to Russia.
The active campaign, dubbed Operation Overload, involves sending fact-checking groups and researchers misinformation and manipulated content that amplifies pro-Kremlin interests and anti-Ukraine propaganda.
It is seeking to influence journalistic and fact-checking efforts on international events, including the war in Ukraine, the Paris Olympics and the upcoming US presidential election.
Since the start of the year, fact-checkers and journalists working for almost 200 outlets have been sent thousands of emails directing them to fake news stories promoted by anonymous X accounts and pro-Russian Telegram channels or sites.
In many cases, the emails contain manipulated images with fake headlines beside the logos of legitimate news outlets to add a sense of authenticity to fake news stories.
Those targeted include The Journal, The Guardian, BBC, The Daily Mail, Fox News, The New York …