Disinformation Campaign Targets Mtavari Arkhi with Fabricated News Cards
A sophisticated disinformation campaign targeting the Georgian media outlet Mtavari Arkhi has been uncovered, involving the dissemination of fabricated news cards bearing the outlet’s logo and visual style. The fabricated cards, spread primarily through Facebook, feature manipulated information attributed to prominent international figures, including former US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, relating to the imprisonment of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. This incident underscores the growing threat of disinformation and the vulnerability of established media outlets to manipulation in the digital age.
The disinformation campaign came to light on March 18-19, 2024, when several Facebook users, including Davit Kartvelishvili, a member of the People’s Power party, shared a fabricated Mtavari Arkhi news card. This card falsely claimed that Trump “categorically demanded from Putin the immediate release of Mikheil Saakashvili.” The card mimicked Mtavari Arkhi’s distinctive visual style, including its logo and typography, lending it a superficial air of authenticity. However, a closer examination revealed inconsistencies in font style and size, raising red flags for discerning viewers. Crucially, no such statement from Trump could be found in any reputable news source or official communication channel.
Mtavari Arkhi’s genuine coverage of the March 18 phone call between Trump and Putin featured an image similar to the one used in the fabricated card, but with entirely different, factually accurate information. The disinformation campaign, therefore, deliberately hijacked legitimate imagery to lend credibility to its fabricated narrative. This tactic exploits the trust viewers place in established media outlets, turning their familiar visual cues into weapons of deception. The timing of the fabricated card’s appearance—shortly after Mtavari Arkhi published its accurate reporting—suggests a deliberate attempt to sow confusion and undermine the credibility of the genuine news coverage.
The campaign didn’t stop with the fabricated Trump quote. Later on March 18, another counterfeit Mtavari Arkhi card surfaced, this time falsely attributing a quote to French President Emmanuel Macron. The fake card claimed Macron declared, "To end the war, Mikheil Saakashvili must be freed first!!!" Again, no record of such a statement could be found in any legitimate source, and Mtavari Arkhi’s own reporting on Macron’s statements that day focused on his continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, with no mention of Saakashvili. This second instance of manipulation demonstrates a pattern of coordinated disinformation efforts aimed at leveraging the Mtavari Arkhi brand to spread fabricated narratives. The repeated use of the same deceptive tactics further highlights the calculated nature of this campaign.
Myth Detector, a fact-checking organization, quickly identified and debunked both fabricated news cards. Their investigation traced the origin of the fake Trump card to a Facebook group, where it first appeared at 22:15, shortly after Mtavari Arkhi published its accurate reporting at 21:53. This timeline strongly suggests a deliberate attempt to exploit the news cycle and capitalize on the public’s interest in the Trump-Putin conversation. The swift debunking by Myth Detector played a crucial role in limiting the spread of the disinformation and informing the public about the fabricated nature of the circulating content.
This incident is not isolated. Myth Detector has previously identified multiple instances of fake news cards falsely attributed to Mtavari Arkhi. This pattern suggests a concerted effort to undermine the credibility of the media outlet and sow distrust in its reporting. The recurring nature of these attacks underscores the need for increased vigilance on the part of both media organizations and consumers of information. It also highlights the importance of fact-checking organizations like Myth Detector in playing a vital role in identifying and debunking disinformation campaigns.
The manipulation of Mtavari Arkhi’s brand is a concerning example of how disinformation campaigns can exploit trusted sources to spread falsehoods. The careful replication of the outlet’s visual identity makes these fabricated cards particularly insidious, as they can easily deceive casual viewers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in the digital age. It also underscores the need for social media platforms to enhance their efforts to combat the spread of disinformation and hold those responsible for creating and disseminating it accountable. The ongoing battle against disinformation requires a multi-pronged approach involving media organizations, fact-checkers, social media platforms, and informed citizens.