The German federal government has announced action against the media platform “Red” which has been identified as having close ties to Russian influence operations. A spokesperson for the Ministry in Berlin stated on Wednesday that the platform is officially being attributed as a tool for Russian interference.
“We can today definitively say that ‘Red’ is being deliberately used by Russia for information manipulation” the spokesperson said. This conclusion was reached following a comprehensive attribution process conducted by German security authorities.
The spokesperson elaborated that the objective of such campaigns is to destabilize social cohesion in Germany and Europe. “Russia utilizes platforms like ‘Red’ to manipulate debates, artificially amplify misinformation and cultivate distrust in facts, media and democratic structures. This includes efforts to discredit state institutions or portray them as ineffective.
In coordination with European partners, the government has imposed sanctions on the individuals behind “Red”. These measures include the freezing of assets within the EU and, depending on individual cases, travel restrictions.
“Red” an English-language platform, describes itself as a “revolutionary” outlet dedicated to promoting “bold and progressive voices” and highlighting “critical social and political issues”. The company Red/Afa Media and its founder were previously sanctioned by the EU in May due to “close financial and organizational links to state propaganda organizations in Russia”.
