Russia’s State Media Under Fire: US Slaps Sanctions on Top Broadcasting News Director for Election Meddling
Suspicion of Using Influencers on US Social Media
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the head of news at the Russian state-run broadcaster RT and others, citing attempts to influence the US presidential election in November.
The sanctions list includes 10 individuals and two entities, such as RT’s news director Margarita Simonovna Simonyan and deputy news director Elizaveta Yuryevna Brodskaia. Those subject to sanctions are banned from visiting the US and have their assets in the US frozen.
The Treasury Department accuses them of using influencers on social media in the US to influence the US presidential election and create pro-Russian public opinion. Notably, the US influencers were unaware that they were being used for Russian operations.
In a separate move, the FBI has seized 32 internet domains used for political manipulation in the US, including attempts to discredit US aid to Ukraine.