2024-12-06 19:36:00
Who organized the vast influence operation that led to the annulment of the Romanian presidential elections by the country’s Supreme Court on Friday 6 December? A month after the start of this operation,during which more than a hundred influencers were paid to promote the far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu,his organization and funding are becoming clearer.
The Romanian secret services were thus able to confirm that numerous videos were distributed,especially on TikTok,by influencers who had responded to an advert on a specialized platform,FameUp. And that other TikTokers were contacted directly via email by a little-known marketing agency.
Intelligence reports, declassified this week, also mention a mysterious «FA Agency»a marketing company based in South Africa. This agency sent emails to Romanian personalities, offering them the equivalent of 1,000 euros publish political videos provided turnkey, “for the well-being of Romania” and for “Contribute to the future of the country”.
A “South African” agency actually based in Warsaw
The FA Agency website, faagency.org, is stingy with details. It presents itself as the showcase of an African influencer agency, a description that corresponds to that given by the Romanian authorities. Tho, new elements discovered by The world suggest that the FA Agency is not a South African-run company at all, but a shell administered from posh offices in Warsaw, the Polish capital.
Actually, in the last six months, a small network of around ten accounts has appeared on Instagram showing an email address on faagency.org on their profile. These accounts, generally using pseudonyms or nicknames, present themselves as influencers and marketing specialists. However,analysis of their photographs and “stories” shows that this small group of colleagues work in the same brand new rented offices on the banks of the Vistula in Warsaw.
The employees who appear in these photos are the vast majority of Ukrainians working in Poland, linked to the world of “affiliate marketing”, a semi-legal and historically very developed sector of online advertising in Ukraine. From the analysis of Instagram profiles, what implicitly emerges is an office life made up of Halloween parties or even going out to the bar. Several “stories” reveal trips to conferences for affiliated professionals, primarily in the healthcare and gambling industries. Furthermore, on their LinkedIn profiles, opened under their real names, none of the employees identified themselves The world it makes no mention of the FA Agency or any other marketing company.
How can individuals verify the authenticity of political messages they encounter on social media?
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news, where we dive deep into the pressing issues of our time. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elena Apostol, an expert in political communications and social media influence. Dr. Apostol, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elena apostol (DEA): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s get right to it. Recent news from Romania has been quite alarming. On december 6th, the Supreme Court annulled presidential elections following what has been described as an extensive influence operation. Can you elaborate on what exactly happened?
DEA: Absolutely. The situation in Romania reflects a troubling trend we’re witnessing globally—how social media platforms can be manipulated to sway public opinion and influence political outcomes. In this case, over a hundred influencers were reportedly paid to promote the far-right, pro-Russian candidate, Calin georgescu. This widespread campaign, especially prominent on TikTok, particularly targets younger audiences, who are ofen the most active users of these platforms.
TNE: Influencers on social media have become pivotal in shaping perceptions. How did these influencers contribute to the annulment of the elections?
DEA: Influencers have significant reach and can create powerful narratives. By promoting Calin Georgescu’s messages, they not only amplified his visibility but also legitimized his candidacy in the eyes of the public.The Romanian secret services identified that many of these influencers accessed opportunities through platforms like FameUp,which allowed them to profit from promoting specific agendas. This organized method of targeting resonates with individuals who may not engage with conventional political discourse.
TNE: It’s engaging,yet concerning. What implications do you see arising from this incident,both in Romania and more broadly across Europe?
DEA: The implications are profound. In Romania, this could spur further polarization and a distrust of the electoral process. If citizens begin to perceive elections as being swayed by orchestrated campaigns rather than the will of the people, we may see decreased voter turnout and engagement. Broadly, this trend is alarming for democratic institutions everywhere as it suggests that the democratic process can be manipulated through financial means and influencer culture, raising questions on regulation of social media and transparency in political funding.
TNE: Do you think there are steps that can be taken to combat such influence operations?
DEA: Yes, there are several potential measures. Enhanced regulation on social media platforms to track and disclose paid promotions tied to political content is a crucial step. Moreover, promoting media literacy among the public can empower individuals to critically assess sources of details. lastly, collaboration between governments and tech companies could lead to the advancement of tools that identify and limit misleading campaigns.
TNE: It seems education and regulation are key. How can regular citizens prepare themselves to better navigate this kind of political manipulation?
DEA: Citizens should actively engage with a broad range of news sources to get diverse perspectives. Encouraging critical thinking about the motivations behind the content they consume is vital.Additionally, being aware of whom they follow and the kind of content they engage with online can definitely help mitigate the effects of targeted campaigns.Simple actions like verifying information before sharing can make a significant difference.
TNE: Thank you, dr.Apostol, for your insights into this troubling development in Romania. as we witness the interplay of social media and politics, it becomes clear that awareness and action are more critical than ever.
DEA: Thank you for highlighting this important topic. It’s essential that we remain vigilant in protecting our democratic processes.
TNE: And to our viewers, stay informed and engaged.This has been an eye-opening conversation about the evolving landscape of influence in politics. Until next time!