EU DisnfoLab facts on Indian propaganda reflect European Parliament’s on-going investigation’s findings
LONDON/BRUSSELS/ISLAMABAD: In an exclusive conversation with The Pakistan Daily, a spokesperson for the European Parliament confirmed that the findings of the report by EU DisinfoLab exposing Indian propaganda reflect the European Parliament’s own investigations findings.
REVEALED: Indian Chronicles – how a massive 15-year influence operation successfully targeted the EU & UN with 750+ fake local media and 10+ zombie-NGOs.
Executive Summary & full report: https://t.co/W3IAxQTOqZ
Here are the facts ? (1/n) pic.twitter.com/eXW6bh48gv— EU DisinfoLab (@DisinfoEU) December 9, 2020
“We took note of this NGO report, which reflects the initial findings of our own monitoring and ongoing investigation. We take very seriously any effort to misrepresent the positions of the European Parliament or its elected members. The report makes clear that positions of the EP have been falsely represented through the websites,” a European Parliament spokesperson told The Pakistan Daily.
The spokesperson further mentioned that the EU DisinfoLab report does not explicitly accuse MEPs of wilfully participating in any possible disinformation/foreign influence operation.
This comes as details of 11 Members of European Parliament with proven links to fake news websites including EU Chronicles run by the infamous Shrivastava Group, which often featured opinion pieces by MEPs and are considered to promote Indian interests at the expense of its perceived antagonists, mainly Pakistan and China come to light.
You may wonder: Indian Chronicles, who are they?
In 2019, we uncovered 265 fake local media across the world – serving Indian interests.
Indian Chronicles = same actors (Srivastava Group) + unidentified actors who have – at least – tolerated this operation for 15 years. (8/n) pic.twitter.com/Hy0yPVi7fw
— EU DisinfoLab (@DisinfoEU) December 9, 2020
MEPs Gianna Gancia, Dominique Bilde, Thierry Mariani, Julie Lechanteux, and Virginie Joron; ECR’s Angel Dzhambazki, Grzegorz Tobiszowski, and Ryszard Czarnecki; EPP’s Fulvio Martusciello and Giuseppe Milazzo; and S&D’s Marc Tarabella have contributed to fake news platforms including the EU Chronicle.
The Pakistan Daily has further learnt that 9 out 11 of the aforementioned MEPs undertook a trip to Indian Occupied Kashmir in a blatant attempt to whitewash the constitutional change in the conflicted territory. Whilst the MEPs posed for cameras, the people of Kashmir were under a brutal lockdown with internet and telephonic services being disabled.
This trip was criticised in the national and international media with a senior EU official expressing shock over the conduct of the far right MEPs.
Am writing to British MPs & MEPs highlighting the criticality of India’s abrogation of Article 370 & genocide of Kashmiris. My deference to 45 MPs who called upon UN SG @antonioguterres to take a firm stand against India’s annexure of Kashmir! https://t.co/8P2DC2uqUM
— Mohammad Sarwar (@ChMSarwar) August 8, 2019
The Pakistan Daily has learnt that the NGO which facilitated the trip of the far right had deep links with the Shrivastava Group, reflecting how, albeit unknowingly, MEPs were used as ploys by India to further it’s dominance in the region whilst enacting complex propaganda against Pakistan and China.
Sources within the EU confirmed to this correspondent that the European Parliament considered the trip a private visit and “NOT part of an official European Parliament delegation”.
When asked whether the European Parliament would take any action against the MEPs against their alleged breach of code of conduct, the sources shared the process of launching a complaint against any MEP in regards to breaches of Code of Conduct.
The European Parliament did not confirm whether the scope of their ongoing investigations in the conduct of MEPs would expand after the scathing report by EU Disinfo Lab.
Disinformation analysts believe that it is now evident that the Shrivastava Group was embroiled in a malicious campaign primarily directed towards Pakistan, which go against the spirit of Article 1 of Code of Conduct for MEPs which states:
“Article 1 Guiding principles In exercising their duties, Members of the European Parliament: (a) are guided by and observe the following general principles of conduct: disinterest, integrity, openness, diligence, honesty, accountability and respect for Parliament’s reputation, (b) act solely in the public interest and refrain from obtaining or seeking to obtain any direct or indirect financial benefit or other reward.”
Lawyers specialising in these matters believe that the MEPs code of conduct was breached, especially in the realms of honesty, integrity and diligence when the Members of the European Parliament continued to contribute to and facilitate the nefarious designs of the Indian funded Shrivastava Group even when activities regarding the Indian Chronicles had been exposed.
Once repackaged by ANI News, the content from EU Chronicle is reproduced by other major Indian outlets, then reaching a domestic audience in India. (11/n) pic.twitter.com/a825IYL5SD
— EU DisinfoLab (@DisinfoEU) December 9, 2020
The controversial editor of ANI Smrita Prakash, a news network identified by EU DisinfoLab as being at the forefront of India’s propaganda machine termed the independent EU DisinfoLab as a proxy for Pakistan.
An attempt has been made by Pakistan & its proxies to hurt ANI’s credibility by hurling wild accusations of fake news. Our partners and subscribers fully understand the politics that is behind all this, and continue to repose faith in the depth reach & credibility of our coverage
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) December 11, 2020
This drew criticism, especially from disinformation expert, Pratik Sinha who said: The editor of ANI is terming @DisinfoEU, a NGO based in EU, as a Pakistani proxy for its investigation. Of course, this is a typical line of response by anyone associated with BJP, so it is not surprising that @smitaprakash has adopted this.
The editor of ANI is terming @DisinfoEU, a NGO based in EU, as a Pakistani proxy for its investigation. Of course, this is a typical line of response by anyone associated with BJP, so it is not surprising that @smitaprakash has adopted this. pic.twitter.com/AtQuHhtOMT
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) December 11, 2020
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said: “No surprises as worlds largest disinfo network exposed w/ India sitting atop. 15 yr global disinfo campaign designed in attempt to discredit (Pakistan) internationally & influence global decision making. ‘Incredible (India)’, powered by fascist ideals & disinfo that even puts Goebbels to shame.”
No surprises as worlds largest disinfo network exposed w/ India sitting atop. 15 yr global disinfo campaign designed in attempt to discredit ?? internationally & influence global decision making. ‘Incredible??’, powered by fascist ideals & disinfo that even puts Goebbels to shame https://t.co/T7FCA3LYl2
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 10, 2020
London based Soldiers of Pakistan forum led by Abu Turab Raja announced that they would take legal action against India for spreading fake news against Pakistan.
In an exclusive conversation with this correspondent, Reham Khan, who has worked as a broadcast journalist with the BBC and several other news platforms said: “While it maybe shocking to the world it comes as no surprise to us who have long struggled to highlight the oppression in Jammu Kashmir. Last year the propaganda touched new highs following article 370 which stripped Kashmir of its autonomy. The lockdown that was imposed on Kashmiris was effectively hidden from the world by a hyper propaganda by India.
“This report will be very helpful in sifting fact from fiction & can help in portraying an accurate picture of Indian Occupied Kashmir. It is unfortunate that media reporting is not only facing strict controls across the world but some media outlets are actively misrepresenting facts. This report will be welcomed by not only those who champion the Kashmir cause but will also serve as a deterrent for propaganda machinery.”
Reham Khan further stated: “The European Parliament taking note of this report will be received positively in Pakistan who have tried to bring attention to the aggressive 5th Gen warfare on several occasions.”
(This story was originally published in Migrant News and was written by the same correspondent.)
