Russian Bloggers Paid To Publish Propaganda Blog Posts

A recent case of prodaganda glog posts published in Russian blogosphere and discussed by journalists and bloggers shows that Soviet methods of brainwashing are still alive in Russia. In the age of innovation and social media Russian propaganda also adapts to new challenges.

Lenta.ru reports that popular Russian bloggers are offered up to $4000/month to publish provocative and propaganda materials in their blogs.

The recent case of propaganda paid blog post was explained by Russian opposition blogger Maxim Lobanov who was offered $3600 by "pro-Kremlin" activits to stop criticizing the government and start publish blog posts against Alexey Navalny, Russian political and social activist.

Maxim Lobanov tells that he has received 50000 Rubles ($1800) as a prepayment from officials whose names are not being disclosed. The blogger's task was to create a strategy plan to run a blog campaign promoting the official position of Russian authorities and vilify Alexey Navalny.

Lobanov also shares his observations of how pro-Kremlin bloggers work in Russian blogosphere. According to him, they use "crafty methods to get fake readership and drag blog posts up to the TOP of Russian blog platform LiveJournal."

After Maxim Lobanov was paid the rest of the promised amount, also 50000 Rubles ($1800), he was prohibited to write and publish any blog posts on politics.

Dennis NAMAROV  |  PubliCiti.ru

Photo: Soviet Posters [fragment]