Anna Hartz
Inside Romania’s Disinformation Crisis: How Telegram Became a Tool for Kremlin Influence
About a quarter of Romanians use the messaging app Telegram monthly.
Its appeal lies in its lenient moderation, making it a haven for fringe groups and conspiracy theorists.
This environment has become fertile ground for pro-Russian actors aiming to influence Romanian politics, according to Digi24.
A recent report by OpenMinds identified 202 Romanian-language Telegram channels engaged in spreading disinformation.
These channels fall into five categories: far-right and anti-EU, conspiracy theorists, pro-Kremlin, religious, and neutral news aggregators.
The far-right and pro-Kremlin groups are particularly active, disseminating narratives that portray Romania as a “dictatorship” and accuse the government of being controlled by globalist forces.
Narratives Are Influencing the Romanian Election
The pro-Kremlin channels, accounting for nearly a quarter of the network, frequently repost content from Russian state media outlets like RT and Sputnik.
They amplify messages from Russian officials and promote narratives that align with Kremlin interests.
These channels often blend pro-Russian perspectives with conspiracy theories and nationalist rhetoric.
Religious channels, while generally apolitical, sometimes echo conservative political views, contributing to the broader narrative landscape.
Neutral news aggregators, though less biased, can inadvertently spread disinformation by sharing content from these channels.
The influence of these Telegram channels extends to the political arena.
They support “anti-establishment” candidates like George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, who has expressed intentions to appoint banned candidate Călin Georgescu as prime minister if elected.
These channels portray the current government as illegitimate and advocate for mass protests to “restore democracy.”
Intelligence reports have revealed extensive Russian involvement in Romania’s electoral process.
This includes the coordination of thousands of social media accounts, significant financial investments in disinformation campaigns, and the use of extremist organizations to sway public opinion.
These efforts aim to undermine trust in democratic institutions and align Romania more closely with Russian interests.spotmedia.ro
As Romania approaches its next elections, the proliferation of disinformation on platforms like Telegram poses a significant challenge to the integrity of its democratic processes.
Addressing this issue requires increased awareness, robust countermeasures, and international cooperation to safeguard the nation’s political landscape.
