In comments to The Associated Press, unnamed US intelligence officials accused the news site Zero Hedge of “amplifying” Russian propaganda and publishing content by “Moscow-controlled media.”
In response, Zero Hedge strongly denied the accusation and said the site tries “to publish a wide spectrum of views that cover both sides of a given story.” Zero Hedge said it “has never worked, collaborated or cooperated with Russia, nor are there any links to spy agencies.”
Ultimately, the US intelligence officials had no evidence tying Zero Hedge to Russia. The AP report reads: “The officials did not say whether they thought Zero Hedge knew of any links to spy agencies and did not allege direct links between the website and Russia.”
Zero Hedge reprints articles from a variety of other websites (including Antiwar.com). The only contributor to Zero Hedge the US officials mentioned by name was the Strategic Culture Foundation, a website the US has accused of working directly with Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
Zero Hedge said it was the first they heard that the Strategic Culture Foundation was linked with “Russian Propaganda” and noted the site was just one of “hundreds of contributors.” The Strategic Culture Foundation has also strongly denied the allegations that it’s affiliated with the SVR and the Russian government.
The claim against Zero Hedge comes against the backdrop of the current tensions between the US and Russia over Ukraine. The AP report says that the website “has published numerous articles that accused the US of fomenting panic about Ukraine.”
Challenging the US narrative around Ukraine is not unique to Zero Hedge. Officials in Ukraine have criticized the US for creating a “panic” by claiming Russia is preparing to invade. The AP’s own Matt Lee recently grilled State Department spokesman Ned Price over the lack of evidence for the claim that Russia might make a “propaganda” video to justify an invasion.
In another blow to the US narrative, Russia announced Tuesday that it was pulling back troops from areas near Ukraine as drills concluded.
I will now begin putting Zero Hedge on my list of sites to be included in getting the full picture on American Russian issues.
Anonymous US Intelligence Officials Claim News Site Zero Hedge Is ‘Amplifying’ The Truth
ZH is a pretty far right site, they certainly don’t seem to be favoring Russia for what I can see.
They don’t need Russia, they are already nuts in that comment stream. From the start it had the crazy-assed day traders and scammers. Racist, and from the start generally repugnant to reals humans. I checked them daily for long periods, but no one needs that crap daily. Or weekly…
I’ve read Zero Hedge in the past. It has a bit of a spotty quality. The posters at Moon of Alabama generally don’t agree with it, probably because most of them are vehement leftists. But it’s almost certainly BS that they are interested in spreading “Russian propaganda.” But this is what happens when you try to look objectively at Russian concerns. It’s almost reflexive among Americans, at least those old enough to remember the Cold War, especially right-wingers.
“Tailgunner” Joe McCarthy wasn’t the first, nor definitely the last. At what point, I wonder, to these whores disgust even themselves.
I rely on Zero Hedge, on a daily basis, for news that I can trust… That anyone would imply otherwise, should be ashamed. (!!!)
Bless your heart…
Anonymous accusations aren’t worth the virtual ink they are printed with. But repeat something often enough and narrative sets and people believe it, despite all the past lies.
“All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but once the fraud is exposed they must rely exclusively on force.”
― George Orwell
Funny. Zero Hedge is the equivalent of the Azov Battalion’s communications org for American fascists.
Thanks for your entry in “Dumbest Thing Tom Knapp Read This Week.”
How would you characterize ZeroHedge? It’s primary content is financial capitalist and its comments are populated by American supporters of corporate power and ethnic nationalism.
Yes, its primary content is financial capitalist, mixed with a smattering of highly variable politics.
In other words, about as far from “the Azov Battalion’s communications org” as it’s humanly possible to get.
I’m not a fan of the site personally, but it is what it is, not what it clearly isn’t.
I get all the news I need from the English-language version of PRAVDA.