RSF Unveils Propaganda Monitor to Expose Global Disinformation Networks

September 30, 2024 – General

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has launched a major new initiative called The Propaganda Monitor, a multimedia investigative platform designed to uncover and analyze the global machinery of state-led propaganda and disinformation. Announced on September 30, 2024, the project aims to strengthen media literacy, expose propaganda disguised as journalism, and support policymakers, journalists, and the public in countering false narratives that threaten democratic societies.

The Propaganda Monitor will provide in-depth investigations, profiles of key propagandists, expert interviews, and a wide range of resources to explain how authoritarian states—particularly Russia—weaponize media to influence public opinion and destabilize democratic processes. RSF says the initiative is crucial in a world where propaganda increasingly mimics legitimate journalism, deceiving audiences and undermining trust in independent media.

The platform’s first series focuses on the Kremlin’s international propaganda network, dissecting how Russian state media like RT and Sputnik continue to infiltrate foreign media ecosystems, including in Africa, Latin America, the Balkans, and Europe, often through indirect channels such as content laundering and social media manipulation. RSF also explores how foreign correspondents are trained to advance Russian state narratives and how individuals like Alexander Malkevich play a role in spreading disinformation under the guise of journalism.

An international steering committee of disinformation experts and scholars will guide the project’s editorial direction. Members include Maxime Audinet (France), Valdez Onanina (Senegal), David Colon (France), Daniel Milo (Slovakia), Rasa Nedeljkov (Serbia), Vladimir Rouvinski (Colombia), and Dorka Takácsy (Hungary). Their combined expertise spans geopolitical propaganda, digital manipulation, and media monitoring.

RSF emphasizes that the best defense against propaganda is fact-based journalism. The Propaganda Monitor will also include policy recommendations and practical tools to help governments, media outlets, and citizens recognize and resist propaganda tactics.

As disinformation becomes more sophisticated and globalized, RSF’s initiative marks a critical step toward defending press freedom and democratic values. By shining a light on the mechanics of modern propaganda, The Propaganda Monitor empowers the public to navigate today’s complex information landscape with greater awareness and resilience.

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