May, propaganda month

Estonian weekly Eesti Ekspress backlashes

Propastop wrote in May an article about the cartoon Masha and the Bear, and how some countries have seen it as a propaganda tool. Propastop got criticised in an editorial section by Eesti Ekspress. We agree on the main points of the critique, that one most not get too paranoid in looking for propaganda. But then again, one of the main reasons of Propastop is to bring the reader all variety of understandings on information conflicts and influence activities. Although various standpoints are presented, it does not mean, that Propastop shares the same view.

Objektiiv.ee, Estonian media portal that has Catholic conservative worldview

Objektiiv.ee criticised the post from May “Urve Eslas: objektiiv.ee information threads run through Russia and Syria”. Again, Propastop mediated one viewpoint and offered itself no opinion or standpoints.

Propastop will also in future publish various articles with different standpoints, and do it on neutral grounds with an aim to broaden our readers’ minds.

Estonian politicians in 9th of May propaganda spin

9th of May and days after had palpable propaganda side-effects. Our attention was caught by a Member of Parliament, Olga Ivanova, who gave an interview to Sputnik. We are not going to analyse the technique of conducting the interview, where the MP held herself the microphone and wore a look-a-like coat, that was used in the Red Army.  The interview was criticised by Estonian Prime Minister, who hoped that members of his party, the Centre Party, will not give interviews to a media outlet, that does not serve Estonia’s interests.

Similar problems had also Minister of Education, Mailis Reps, who after gaining her post, gave an interview to the Russian propaganda outlet. Also then, the Prime Minister found it necessary to intervene.

Propastop is not in favour of limiting freedom of speech but has previously also given advice, on how to deal with Russian propaganda outlets.

Magazine “Sõdur” (Soldier), “How to sharpen information weapon”.

In the second issue of the year 2017, the magazine “Sõdur” publishes an analytical  article about information operations. It gives a thorough overview of the functions of info-operations, about the functional abilities on the tactical and operational level. It also provides examples of practical activities, which are based on Estonian Defence Forces 2nd Infantry Brigade.

David Vseviov: history and propagandists

On 25th of May, Estonian weekly Maaleht published an article by a historian David Vseviov, who writes about intertwined relations with unclear borders of history and propaganda.

Vadim Štepa: Ukraine is acting rightly when blocking Russia’s webpages

Estonian daily “Eesti Päevaleht” published an opinion story on 28th of May, by Vadim Štepa, about Ukraine’s decision on blocking Russia’s websites: mail.ru, Yandex, Vkontakte, and Odnoklassniki. President of Ukraine, Petro Porošenko reasoned the new sanctions with the need to protect the country’s information environment. This decree caused varied reactions. On the one side, Russian internet resources are used in hybrid warfare. But on the other hand, many are in the opinion that Ukraine has started to remind Russia itself, where many web pages are also blocked. Nonetheless, many users have still access to the forbidden material.

Photo: screenshots from delfi.ee, objektiiv.ee, maaleht.ee, and ekspress.ee websites