Smear campaign against the greens
Russian fake news: After Baerbock, Habeck is now the target
Updated on december 6th, 2024Reading time: 3 min.
A dubious website spreads alleged revelations about the Federal Minister of Economics. But the allegations are fictitious.
Green Party candidate for chancellor Robert Habeck is currently the target of a smear campaign allegedly carried out from Russia. On a newly created website designed to look like a news platform, lies were spread using a sophisticated narrative. In a similar way, actors spread outrageous stories about Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock a few months ago. (Read more about it here.)
The content is based on an alleged “revelation” that is actually fictitious: Federal Minister of Economics robert Habeck committed a crime years ago. There is apparently a disinformation campaign behind this that has targeted the minister.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution confirmed that this was a targeted discrediting, as the office had expected in a warning a week ago. In an analysis of possible attempts to influence foreign countries in connection wiht the federal election, the authority wrote that actions of disinformation and discrediting had to be taken into account.
No author or publisher was named on the dubious website. An imprint was also completely missing. According to t-online research, the domain of the alleged news site “Zeitecho” was only registered on November 19th: an indication that it was created for a specific campaign.
In addition to the Habeck story, there were also other texts that were intended to give the impression that this was a real news site. The site was no longer accessible on Friday afternoon. The Lithuanian-based internet service provider Hostinger said in response to a query that it had shut down the site instantly after becoming aware of the content. As of data protection, nothing can be said about the customer, but we will cooperate with investigative authorities and share all details with investigative authorities upon request.
The defamatory narrative is based on a video linked in the article. It shows a woman who claims to have been among the winners of a painting competition in Schleswig-Holstein eight years ago, who were honored by Robert Habeck. In the video, the woman claims to have been abused by Habeck. The video was obviously created using artificial intelligence and the story was invented, while the painting competition and Habeck’s visit there actually existed.An image search with the alleged witness’s face leads to photos of a former Russian figure skater.
Nevertheless, several users on X took up the article and repeated the accusations. A Swiss “healer” who has often been noticed with false data even claimed to have received information about the text from the website’s creators. He did not answer further questions. Posts on the platform have already reached hundreds of thousands of people, but some have as been deleted.
The style of the publications follows similar campaigns that have been attributed to Russia in the past. Among other things, a fake video was used to spread the lie that Ukrainian President Zelensky had bought the villa from Hitler’s propaganda minister Goebbels. Read more about it here.
The method is also called “info-laundering”: Content is placed on inconspicuous websites, distributed via social media and gains apparent credibility through repetition. Russian actors frequently enough control these processes.
The text has been updated with statements from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Internet service provider Hostinger.
What strategies can individuals use to identify and combat disinformation campaigns targeting political figures?
Title: The Rise of Disinformation: An Interview on the Smear Campaign Against Germany’s Green Party Leaders
Participants:
- Interviewer: Sarah Thompson, Editor of Time.news
- Expert: Dr. Lucas Schneider, Disinformation Research Specialist
Sarah Thompson: Good afternoon, Dr. Schneider. Thank you for joining us today to discuss this pressing issue of disinformation, particularly regarding the recent smear campaign targeting the Green Party leaders in Germany.
Dr. Lucas Schneider: Thank you for having me, Sarah.It’s a critical topic and I’m glad we’re shedding light on it.
Sarah Thompson: Let’s dive right in.Recently, Robert Habeck, the Federal Minister of Economics and a prominent Green Party figure, has come under fire from a dubious website allegedly spreading false information about him. Can you explain how such a smear campaign typically operates?
Dr. Lucas Schneider: Absolutely. Smear campaigns often start with the creation of a seemingly legitimate news platform, which is what we see in this case. The narratives are designed to echo real concerns but are laced with fiction. It’s akin to a well-crafted story,but with malicious intent—targeting an individual’s reputation with fabricated claims.
Sarah Thompson: That’s quite alarming. How do these campaigns gain traction? Is there a specific audience that they target?
Dr. Lucas Schneider: Yes, these campaigns often aim to exploit existing divisions and anxieties within society. They typically resonate with individuals who may already harbor skepticism towards the targeted figures or their political ideologies. Factors like social media echo chambers can amplify these messages, allowing the disinformation to spread rapidly before it can be debunked.
Sarah Thompson: We’ve seen this happen not only with Habeck but also with Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Foreign Minister. Is there a systematic pattern in these attacks against Green Party leaders, or is it more opportunistic?
Dr. Lucas Schneider: It’s a mix of both. The Green Party, with its progressive stance and anti-establishment messaging, tends to be a target for those looking to undermine climate initiatives or shift public opinion. This consistency in targeting suggests a strategic effort—perhaps backed by actors who perceive that discrediting these leaders serves broader geopolitical goals.
Sarah Thompson: That certainly puts into outlook the sheer scale of these campaigns. How effective are these smear tactics in influencing public perception?
Dr. Lucas Schneider: Unfortunately, they can be quite effective, particularly if they exploit emotional responses. People are more likely to share sensational information without verifying its authenticity. Even when the truth comes out, the initial lies can linger in public memory and significantly impact politicians’ reputations.
Sarah Thompson: Given this context, what measures can individuals and governments take to combat disinformation like we’ve seen directed at Habeck and Baerbock?
Dr. Lucas Schneider: education is paramount; public awareness campaigns that promote media literacy are crucial. Additionally, governments must respond swiftly to disinformation by fact-checking and debunking false narratives as they emerge. Collaboration with tech companies to reduce the spread of fake news on social media platforms is also key.
Sarah Thompson: It sounds like a multifaceted approach is needed. As we wrap up, is there a message you’d like to convey to readers who might feel overwhelmed by this influx of disinformation?
dr. Lucas Schneider: I would encourage everyone to question the sources of their news, to seek out verified information, and to engage in constructive conversations rather than getting swept up in divisive narratives. Informed citizens are our best defence against disinformation.
Sarah Thompson: Thank you, Dr. Schneider,for sharing your insights today. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant in the face of these tactics, especially as the political landscape continues to evolve.
Dr. Lucas Schneider: thank you, Sarah. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this vital issue.
End of Interview