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The daily images of attacks and the sequence of statements released by the authorities on social networks hide the dimension of another battlefront between Russia and Ukraine, in conflict for 22 days: the information war.
On the Moscow side, there is censorship of journalists and media outlets, repression of protests, blocking of networks and monitoring of critical voices. On Ukrainian territory, the risk of attacks and the spread of rumors. The virtual environment has been skillfully used by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Sites of at least 15 vehicles of communication were blocked by the regulatory agency of the Vladimir Putin government, according to an AFP survey;
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The Kremlin has passed a law that punishes up to 15 years in prison journalists who spread “false information”, which includes calling what the regime considers a “special military operation” a “war”.
speed: On Tuesday, an editor at Russia’s top television news program was fined 30,000 rubles a day after holding a live protest. She held up a sign that read “here everyone lies”.
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150th is Russia’s position in the press freedom ranking of the NGO Reporters Without Borders, among 180 countries; Ukraine ranks 97th;
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14,977 people have been arrested in the country for publicly speaking out against the Russian action, according to the NGO OVD-Info.
Close siege: Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov on Thursday called people traitors quitting their jobs and leaving the country.
And from afar: Russian youtuber Olga Kovalenko, who has lived in Brazil for three years, says that her family was contacted by Russian authorities who asked about her documents. In recent videos, she had talked about the war — she doesn’t know, however, if that was the reason for the visit.
Limit: Columnist Lúcia Guimarães points out that the iron curtain imposed on information, used on TV by Putin to consolidate his power, may no longer have the same effectiveness now, with young people who resort to VPN to circumvent blocks.
Security of journalists
In the Kiev region, media professionals are viewed with suspicion at the posts that control the entry and exit of people, commanded by the army or militia groups. The fear and inexperience of inspectors often make it impossible for journalists to access certain areas.
And even those with press identification can be targets.
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4 journalists have been killed while covering attacks in Ukraine since February 24, according to a report by Reporters Without Borders.
With the 35-hour curfew imposed in the Ukrainian capital and ending this morning, even accredited journalists were unable to circulate.
“Thus, the statements sent by the Ukrainian government that another building was attacked this morning [que quarta, 16]could not be confirmed by independent journalists”, reports the envoy of the sheet André Liohn.
Do not get lost
The war disinformation campaign is not just on the Russian side. Reporters João Gabriel and Mayara Paixão show examples of when Ukrainian authorities spread fake news to try to move public opinion. See three of them:
The Ghost of Kiev
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What was released: Photo of a Ukrainian fighter jet single-handedly taking down units of Putin’s powerful Air Force. The pilot gained national hero status
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What was denied: The images are from a flight simulation game, as shown by The New York Times
Attack in humanitarian corridor
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What was released: Russian army attacked a convoy during the ceasefire, killing seven civilians, including a child
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What was denied: The victims were outside the peace corridors, as the Ukrainian Defense Ministry corrected
attack the mosque
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What was publicized: Russians attacked a mosque of Sultan Soliman in Mariupol with “more than 80 adults and children”
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What was denied: The temple leader and one of those involved in the operations denied
what happened this thursday
picture of the day
What to see and hear to stay informed
See how the debate on the conflict in Eastern Europe, mediated by the sheet this Thursday, and the farewell of a Ukrainian family from their home before the escape:
