EU says pro-Kremlin media trying to sow 'panic and fear' with coronavirus disinformation

London/Moscow (CNN Business)Russian state media and pro-Kremlin outlets are waging a disinformation campaign about the coronavirus pandemic to sow "panic and fear" in the West, EU officials have warned in a report seen by CNN.

The European Union's External Action Service, which researches and combats disinformation online, said in an internal report that since January 22 it had recorded nearly 80 cases of disinformation about the Covid-19 outbreak linked to pro-Kremlin media.

"The overarching aim of Kremlin disinformation is to aggravate the public health crisis in Western countries, specifically by undermining public trust in national healthcare systems — thus preventing an effective response to the outbreak," according to the report.

The report, dated March 16th, said that the campaign is "designed to exacerbate confusion, panic, and fear." The report outlines how pro-Kremlin media have been working to amplify an array of often contradictory narratives which "hijack" the information space in order to diminish Europe's ability to act in its self-interest.



https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/18/europe/eu-kremlin-disinformation-coronavirus-intl/index.html