The German Journalists’ Association (DJV) has criticized the federal government, accusing it of inaction regarding the so-called “Matryoshka campaign.” The DJV announced on Thursday that this campaign, which is suspected to originate in Russia, utilizes fake pages belonging to German media outlets to spread disinformation.
DJV President Mika Beuster stated that these activities are not merely “unpopular political opinions,” but rather constitute “massive violations against the rights of media companies” and an attempt to influence the outcome of state elections.
Beuster strongly urged the federal government to exert “massive pressure” on social media providers, insisting that fake content must be removed immediately rather than waiting weeks. He added that the necessary legal frameworks are already in place and require only application.
Previously, government spokespeople had clarified that the dissemination of information, even if false, is not prohibited. They also referred to European Union sanctions lists that include disinformation actors, emphasizing that citizens’ media literacy is crucial for addressing such information.
