DC Weekly, a website founded by a former US Marine now living in Russia, has fuelled disinformation stories about Zelensky and Ukraine, including a fake story that he bought two luxury yachts with US aid money, later repeated by some members of Congress.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…
bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…
These are just a few of the disinformation stories published by DC Weekly about Zelensky and Ukraine recently.
They all follow the same pattern: an obscure YouTube video featuring false claims, an article on DC Weekly referring to that video, and viral posts on social media.
They all follow the same pattern: an obscure YouTube video featuring false claims, an article on DC Weekly referring to that video, and viral posts on social media.
All of those articles featuing false claims about Zelensky and Ukraine are written by Jessica Devlin. According to DC Weekly, she's a "highly acclaimed journalist" from NYC.
Except, that's the image of author Judy Batalion. Jessica Devlin is a fake persona. She doesn't exist.
Except, that's the image of author Judy Batalion. Jessica Devlin is a fake persona. She doesn't exist.
@O_Rob1nson and I noticed this was a pattern with DC Weekly's "journalists".
"Seasoned political correspondent" Bill Grant turns out to be Yuri, a Ukrainian English student.
"Prominent political analyst" Andy Fisher is actually a stock image of a smiling man.
"Seasoned political correspondent" Bill Grant turns out to be Yuri, a Ukrainian English student.
"Prominent political analyst" Andy Fisher is actually a stock image of a smiling man.
Research by @DarrenLinvill and @plwarre of @ClemsonUniv, shows DC Weekly was started by John Mark Dougan, a former US Marine and Florida police officer who moved to Russia in 2016.
It's full of stories copied from other sites and rewritten by AI engines.
tigerprints.clemson.edu/mfh_reports/3/
It's full of stories copied from other sites and rewritten by AI engines.
tigerprints.clemson.edu/mfh_reports/3/
@DarrenLinvill @plwarre @ClemsonUniv Why does all of this matter?
Because some of the fake stories about Ukraine published by DC Weekly, like the Zelensky luxury yacht story, have been echoed by members of Congress, including Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senator JD Vance.
Because some of the fake stories about Ukraine published by DC Weekly, like the Zelensky luxury yacht story, have been echoed by members of Congress, including Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senator JD Vance.
DC Weekly's story about Zelensky buying two luxury yachts, "My Legacy" and "Lucky Me" for $75m, is totally fabricated. Both yachts are currently up for sale.
Other "bombshells", like Olena Zelenska buying jewellery at Cartier, are also totally made up.
Other "bombshells", like Olena Zelenska buying jewellery at Cartier, are also totally made up.
https://twitter.com/Shayan86/status/1730174206506066098
Please read our piece about DC Weekly and the impact of the disinformation it repeatedly launders about Zelensky and Ukraine.
It's a joint investigation by @O_Rob1nson, @mwendling and me from BBC Verify, and @DarrenLinvill and @plwarre from @ClemsonUniv.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…
It's a joint investigation by @O_Rob1nson, @mwendling and me from BBC Verify, and @DarrenLinvill and @plwarre from @ClemsonUniv.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…
And finally, @PaulMyersBBC from BBC Verify, who did all the research on DC Weekly and related domains, as well as the woman claiming to be a former Cartier employee with receipts of Zelenska buying jewellery, who Paul found to be based in Saint Petersburg.
Please follow, Paul.
Please follow, Paul.
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