US says Russian-backed outlets pass on COVID-19 vaccine 'disinformation'
08 March, 2021
The United States has discovered three online publications directed by Russia's intelligence services that it says are seeking to undermine COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, circumstances Department spokeswoman said on Sunday (Mar 7).
The outlets "spread various kinds of disinformation, including about both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, together with international organisations, military conflicts, protests, and any divisive issue they can exploit", the spokeswoman said.
The Wall Road Journal (WSJ) first reported on the identification of the alleged campaign on Sunday. A Kremlin spokesman denied the US assert Russia was spreading false info on vaccines to the WSJ.
Russia's embassy found in Washington didn't immediately react to a obtain comment.
Russia approved its Sputnik V vaccine found in August, before a good large-level trial had begun, saying it had been the first region to take action for a COVID-19 shot. Peer-reviewed trials a few months later proved it had been almost 92 % powerful in fighting the virus.
Pfizer, headquartered in New York, and Germany's BioNTech, produced the initial vaccine that was first authorised in america, which regulators approved found in December. The second, made by Moderna, headquartered in Massachusetts, was authorised afterwards that month.
The State Department's Global Engagement Center, create to counter propaganda and disinformation campaigns, determined the three outlets, the spokeswoman said.
News Front is manipulated by Russia's federal reliability service, the centre found. New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review are directed and manipulated by the Russian international intelligence service.
A fourth outlet, Rebel Interior, managed by the Russian army, was as well named by the center but is largely dormant, the spokeswoman said.
"The Department will continue to expose Russia’s nefarious activities over the internet," she added.
"We may also continue to function closely with this allies and partners to provide a worldwide response to countering disinformation."
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com