U.S. investigates American journalists' cooperation with Russian propaganda media

Online.ua reports, citing the New York Times.

According to the outlet, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into the cooperation between American journalists and Russia's state propaganda media as part of its efforts to combat Russian interference in the election.

The investigation may reveal the cooperation with the Kremlin media of such individuals as former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter and Donald Trump's advisor Dimitri Simes.

The investigation may be conducted as part of efforts to counter Russian influence operations ahead of the U.S. presidential elections. 

Specifically, in August, FBI agents conducted searches at the homes of former UN weapons inspector and critic of U.S. foreign policy Scott Ritter, as well as former adviser to U.S. presidential candidate and Republican Donald Trump, Dimitri Simes.

Both Ritter and Simes frequently appeared on Russian state media. 

During the search at Ritter's home, mobile phones, computers, and hard drives were seized. However, neither he nor Dimitri Simes has been charged with any crimes so far. New searches and potential criminal cases are expected soon.

Ritter stated that he considers this to be a direct attack on the Constitution of the United States.

The investigation has sparked a political debate and raised concerns as the inquiry could also potentially clash with the First Amendment’s protection of free speech rights

The collaboration between American journalists and Kremlin propagandists is generating significant outrage and discussion within society, leading to calls for new mechanisms to counteract external influences on domestic political processes.

Objectives of U.S. investigation into journalists' ties with Russian propaganda

The New York Times journalists emphasize that the investigations are based on U.S. intelligence findings that Kremlin-controlled Russian media outlets such as Russia Today are cooperating with Russian intelligence services and seeking to influence election results around the world.

The Kremlin is once again supporting Trump on social media through bots and propagandists, releasing fake news to discredit U.S. President Joe Biden and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

“The government’s investigation is politically fraught, reprising the furiously partisan debate over Russia’s influence in the 2016 presidential campaign. By targeting Americans working with news organizations, even if they are state-run, the inquiry could also bump up against the First Amendment’s protection of rights to free speech,” the outlet says.