Libertarian financial blog slammed AP for amplifying CIA propaganda
On Tuesday, the Associated Press (AP), published an article citing unnamed sources “US intelligence officials” who accused libertarian financial blog ZeroHedge – which has repeatedly criticized US President Joe Biden – of “amplifying Russian propaganda.”
Nomaan Merchant, AP’s intelligence and national security reporter, wrote that the unnamed officials accused ZeroHedge of publishing articles “created by Moscow-controlled media that were then shared by outlets and people unaware of their nexus to Russian intelligence.”
“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,”Merchant said that AP was also briefed by the officials “on the condition of anonymity.”
Here’s another …” The officials informed The Associated Press about the conditions of anonymity in order to disclose sensitive intelligence sources.This would have been an official announcement. Our “Intelligence Agencies” are in chaos. This is the time to do a complete redo. https://t.co/5sn2IASHvg
— Jeff Carlson (@themarketswork) February 15, 2022
ZeroHedge – which AP acknowledged had been “sharply critical of Biden and posted stories about allegations of wrongdoing by his son Hunter” – denied the accusations and accused AP of publishing a “bizarre hit piece”The US Central Intelligence Agency, (CIA) sponsored this project
“Well, now we’ve done it – we’ve angered the CIA, and for what? For publishing views that challenge the conventional narrative, such as disputing that an invasion of Ukraine is actually ‘imminent’ as the US State Department and its mainstream media conduits repeat day after day,” ZeroHedge declared.
“Of course, there is no actual accusation that Zero Hedge works directly with anyone tied to Russia or its intelligence apparatus,”Before stating it was closed, the website pointed out that they had “never worked, collaborated or cooperated with Russia, nor are there any links to spy (or any other) agencies.”
Perhaps the AP could have added perspective to its narrative and not just followed the CIA’s.
AP’s article and the comments received heavy criticism online, with critics calling it an assault on press freedom.
It is sad to note that the major players in attacking freedom of press are established media organizations. Zero Hedge is daring to post links that are not approved by the US government! https://t.co/rfpG9awapR
— Aaron M. Renn 🇺🇸 (@aaron_renn) February 15, 2022
“So @joebiden’s spooks are smearing random websites as Russian agents if they challenge White House warmongering and lies,” tweeted Electronic Intifada director Ali Abunimah, who called the intelligence officials’ accusations “a direct government attack on free speech.”
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