The Enemy is with the Gates
This week was no different: anti-vaxxers continue to find support in pro-Kremlin outlets. Bill and Melinda Gates and the rest of the "shadow rulers" are scheming to introduce mandatory vaccination that will contain secret implants to control the world. We find the claim in Russian, English and Georgian. We can note that, to date, Mr. Gates appears in ten cases in the database – eight of which have occurred in just the last few weeks, after the onset of the "COVID-19 outbreak.
Looking at Russia-based English language sites, we see that Bill Gates appears as the "Coronavirus Bad Guy" at South Front here, here, here, here and here; at RT.com here and here; and at New Eastern Outlook, managed by the Russian Academy of Sciences, here, here, here and here…
When pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets spread anti-vaccine tropes, they become responsible for those who will hesitate to seek professional medical care, potentially endangering lives.
The Revenge of the Anglo-Saxons
Several studies demonstrate the role of conspiracy theories in Russian policy-making. The journal of Strategic Studies published a report in January on how Russian military institutions and official think tanks tolerate and spread unfounded conspiracy theories. BBC Russian Service reported on a case where Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a full-blown conspiracy theory on “who is behind COVID-19”:
Are we observing the revenge of the Anglo-Saxons in real time? Great Britain will have vengeance for China's cunning actions in Hong Kong; for the Yanks' "indecent proposals", suggesting a leash around the neck of the proud Britons, and for "all good things", that the Brits had to endure from an ever growing pressure from the bureaucrats in Brussels, all still very much in fresh memory. Can you even imagine that Her Majesty should yield to the instructions from the Brussels' bureaucrats, especially as they lack "noble blood"?
This text was removed from the Journal’s web page, but an archived version is still available. BBC also demonstrates how similar conspiracy theories are spread by the TV channel of Russia’s Armed Forces, only pointing fingers at “the Americans”.
More than half of this week’s disinformation cases are devoted to COVID-19.
Other pieces of disinformation this week:
Wash your hands, take care of each other; respect quarantine recommendations!
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