Thread by @ngleicher

1/ Today we announced three CIB takedowns linked to Russian actors — all three had very limited global following, and even more minimal following in the US. But we know that networks like these can pivot in the the weeks to come, so we’ll stay vigilant. about.fb.com/news/2020/09/r…

2/ These networks centered primarily around off-platform websites designed to look like independent or fictitious media organizations and attempted to engage unwitting people to write for them. This is similar to a Russian network we removed in August. about.fb.com/news/2020/09/a…

3/ This is a good reminder that threat actors — including from Russia — will continue to try to manipulate public debate globally and in the US, including by trying to trick journalists into doing their amplification for them.

4/ One threat we should all watch for are hack/leak operations — where an actor steals private documents, often manipulates them, and then releases them to influence public debate. We saw Russian actors use this technique in 2016, and should be prepared for them to try it again.

5/ Finally, I'd call out that these operations directly try to exploit competitive pressures across the media ecosystem. Journalists have a critical role in protecting 2020, but here it is particularly acute. We know these actors will try this again, so we all need to be ready.

6/ And here are five principles for covering potential hacked or leaked material just out from Marty Baron, exec editor at @washingtonpost. Among many great insights: "Our emphasis should be on making a sound and well-considered decision—not on speed." vanityfair.com/news/2020/09/m…