State Department labels RT as covert influence arm of Russian government

The State Department on Friday accused Russian media outlet RT of being involved in covert influence campaigns across the globe, sanctioning its parent company for working on behalf of the Russian government.

“We now know that RT moved beyond being simply a media outlet and has been an entity with cyber capabilities. It is also engaged in information operations, covert influence, and military procurement," the State Department said in a release, saying RT has carried out operations in Europe, Africa, and North and South America.

“We are not taking action against these entities and individuals for the content of their reporting, or even the disinformation they create and spread publicly. We are taking action against them for their covert influence activities. Covert influence activities are not journalism. The United States will always stand for freedom of expression, including for those with whom we disagree. We encourage dissent, open debate, and free discourse. But we will not stand for attempts by state actors to carry out covert activities with the goal of hijacking that discourse.”

RT, formerly known as Russia Today, is also accused of managing a crowdfunding site that helps provide weapons and other military equipment.

The notice comes on the heels of a Justice Department (DOJ) indictment last week accusing two RT employees of leading a covert influence campaign by partnering with conservative media company Tenet Media to hire various right-wing influencers, all the while purporting to provide funding from a fictitious donor. The two also had some editorial control at the company.

“We know that for over two years, RT has leveraged its extensive state funding to covertly recruit and pay social media personalities and provide them with unbranded content to disseminate and promote around the world while hiding RT's involvement,” the State Department said.

The alert notes that RT similarly hired an influencer in France, and likewise runs websites in South Africa and Germany. 

It’s also been undertaking various efforts to influence the coming Moldovan elections, including fomenting arrest with the goal of sparking violent protests.

Much like with the DOJ indictment of its employees, RT responded with a tongue-in-cheek dig.

“We’ve been broadcasting straight out of the KGB headquarters all this time,” RT said on its own site.

“No, but seriously, we’re running out of popcorn to sit and watch what the US government will come up with next about us.” 

According to the State Department, since last year the Russian government “embedded within RT an entity with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence.”

“Under the cover of RT, information produced through this entity's capabilities flows to Russia’s intelligence services, Russian media outlets, Russian mercenary groups, and other various state and proxy arms of the Russian Government,” the warning says.

Also among the allegations is that the crowdfunding platform was used to finance the purchase of items from China.

“Military equipment and supplies, to include sniper rifles, suppressors, personal weapon sights, body armor, clothing, night-vision equipment, drones, radio equipment, and diesel generators are imported in small orders to avoid unwanted scrutiny,” the State Department said.

Updated at 3:38 p.m. EDT