Fake videos bearing the MDR logo and fabricated allegations against politicians: According to its own statements, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk has itself become the target of a disinformation campaign believed to be orchestrated from Russia. As the state broadcaster reported, citing security authorities, the campaign is said to be aimed, among other things, at influencing public opinion ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt.
According to MDR, a dataset available to the broadcaster includes a total of 338 posts dating back to July 24. In several cases, MDR was allegedly misused as the purported sender. The posts are believed to be part of the disinformation campaign known as “Matryoshka.”
In fake videos, state and local politicians are accused of fabricated serious crimes, among other things. Many of the posts were reportedly created using artificial intelligence. To appear credible, logos and front pages of well-known media brands such as “Tagesschau” and “Spiegel” are used.
