Elon Musk’s Misinformation Campaign Unraveled
Elon Musk, a prominent figure as the owner of the social media platform X and a recently appointed special government employee in the White House’s DOGE office, has sparked controversy by spreading false claims regarding Ukrainian media control. The misinformation originated from an interview with Oksana Romaniuk, the director of the Institute of Mass Information, on Hromadske Radio on Feb. 6. Romaniuk mentioned that “almost 90% of Ukrainian media survived thanks to grants,” alluding to various grant sources that have supported media outlets during the conflict—not specifically US funding or control. However, her words were swiftly distorted.
Distorted Claims and Misinterpretations
Pro-Russian political analyst Kostyantyn Bondarenko inaccurately asserted that 90% of Ukrainian media was under Western control due to grant funding. This false narrative was then propagated by Strana.ua and cited by Ukrainian-Canadian political science professor Ivan Katchanovski, who is known for promoting pro-Kremlin narratives. The misinformation gained momentum when it was shared by Toronto TV, according to United24. Furthermore, the NGO Reporters Without Borders misinterpreted Romaniuk’s statements in an article, which was later shared by WikiLeaks on X. Musk unknowingly reposted the claim, expanding its reach. However, Reporters Without Borders has since rectified the article, clarifying Romaniuk’s original message.
In response to the controversy, Romaniuk expressed her dismay at the distortion, stating, “I was referring to all types of grants, not just American ones… It’s astonishing how my words were distorted.” Musk’s actions are part of a pattern of misleading or false comments he has made regarding Ukraine. On Feb. 9, Musk advocated for shutting down US-funded news organizations Radio Liberty and Voice of America, alleging they were run by “radical left crazy people.” This statement came after criticism from Richard Grenell, Donald Trump’s former special envoy, who questioned taxpayer funding for media outlets employing “far-left activists.”
Historical Context and Impact
Voice of America, established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, initially broadcasted in German before expanding to English, French, and Italian. By the end of World War II, it aired in 50 languages, with its first Russian-language program launching in 1947. Radio Liberty commenced broadcasting from West Germany in 1950, introducing a Russian-language edition in 1953. Earlier on Feb. 6, Musk also shared a fabricated video purporting that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Hollywood celebrities to boost Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s popularity.
As an American journalist who has extensively covered the conflict in Ukraine since 2022, Katie Livingstone’s work has been recognized with nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and other accolades. Her insightful reporting, featured in Rolling Stone, Business Insider, USA Today, and various other platforms, sheds light on the profound impact of conflict and foreign policy on individuals and societies worldwide.
