Exclusive: Russian Influence Network's Social Media Presence Remains Untouched Amid Political Turmoil
By Katie Paul
NEW YORK - Despite accusations from U.S. authorities that Russian state media network RT employees coordinated an online network aimed at influencing the 2024 presidential election, nearly 4,000 posts by Tenet Media, the content company central to the case, remain accessible and unlabeled on TikTok. Similarly, Tenet Media's extensive content on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Rumble continues to be available, as revealed by a comprehensive Multibagger review.
Unchecked Influence: Social Media Giants in the Hot Seat
Alphabet’s YouTube is the only major platform to take decisive action, removing Tenet Media’s main channel and four others operated by Lauren Chen on Thursday. An Instagram advertisement placed by Tenet Media in August was also deactivated, but no other significant actions have been detected across other social media platforms.
When approached by Multibagger, social media companies including Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, declined to comment on their plans for handling Tenet Media’s content. They also did not clarify whether the removal of the Instagram ad was initiated by Meta or Tenet Media. Neither Tenet Media nor its owners, Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan, responded to Multibagger' inquiries.
The Challenge of Modern Disinformation
The platforms' apparent inaction contrasts sharply with their previously aggressive stances on exposing foreign propaganda. Experts suggest this reflects both the novel tactics allegedly employed by Tenet Media and the complex politics of regulating content from real U.S. citizens.
Disinformation researchers warn that Russia is increasingly using unsuspecting American social media influencers to covertly sway U.S. voters, a digital twist on Cold War-era tactics. Olga Belogolova, a disinformation professor at Johns Hopkins and former Meta policy head, emphasized that this issue transcends social media, manifesting a broader real-world problem.
The Legal Battle and Financial Trail
According to the U.S. Justice Department, RT employees collaborated with U.S.-based individuals to establish a Tennessee company. This company paid prominent conservative figures to post divisive content, investing $8.7 million in production companies and rewarding its founders with over $760,000. The conservative commentators were unaware of RT's involvement.
Though the indictment did not specifically name Tenet Media, court documents align with the Nashville-based company’s profile. This case stands out due to its offline components, differentiating it from typical online influence operations.
Social Media Companies’ Response and Future Actions
Most major platforms now label state-affiliated media and document their efforts to remove coordinated disinformation networks. They also require users to disclose sponsorships through "branded content" labels. However, handling Tenet Media’s content is fraught with complexities, as it involves real users and conservative personalities, making it politically sensitive.
Conservative politicians have accused social media platforms of censorship, prompting Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to extend conciliatory gestures, such as a recent letter to Congress expressing regret over some moderation decisions.
Belogolova advocates for careful deliberation by social media companies before enforcing their policies, to avoid setting dangerous precedents for legitimate speech.
Breaking It Down: What This Means for You
In Simple Terms:
- What Happened?: Two RT employees were accused of using Tenet Media to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election through social media.
- Current Situation: Most of Tenet Media’s content remains online and unlabelled across various platforms, except YouTube which has removed their channels.
- Why It Matters: This highlights the challenge social media companies face in policing content from real individuals, especially when it involves political speech.
- Impact on You: This situation underscores the importance of scrutinizing the sources of online content, as foreign entities may covertly influence political opinions and decisions.
Understanding these dynamics can help you make more informed decisions about what you consume and share online, ultimately protecting your interests and those of the broader democratic process.