Mouthpieces of the global elite

The narrative often suggests that these media outlets are part of a larger conspiracy, acting in the interest of global elites rather than the public, and that they profit from crises or political maneuvers orchestrated by these elites. 

These alleged “elites” take different shapes. In some cases, the elite represent the power pharma industry. In other cases, especially in Eastern Europe, journalists serve the interest of the liberal, Western elite and its governments.

This framing seeks to discredit the media by implying they are tools of powerful financial interests, rather than independent entities committed to facts and transparency.

This narrative has been adopted by disinformation purveyors and adapted to the specific context of each country:

Narrative: The narrative suggests that Faktograf is not independent but rather acts in the interest of powerful figures such as Bill Gates and George Soros, promoting their “globalist agendas”. This rhetoric is linked to Faktograf’s work in debunking the falsehoods spread by anti-vaccine movement in Croatia during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the news outlet experienced a sudden avalanche of violent threats and smear campaigns on social media. The fact-checking outlet is labeled by these movements as a “corona profiteer,” with accusations that it has financially benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic by “pushing narratives” that align with the interests of these global elites.

Narrative: This false narrative portrays Maldita as a mouthpiece for a global agenda and its efforts to combat misinformation are framed by conspiracy groups as serving the interests of powerful international figures, such as George Soros for receiving funding from the Open Society Foundation, founded by Soros. It is worth noting that the funds that Maldita.es receives from the Open Society Foundation represented 3.65% of all its income in 2023, which in now way influences the journalistic standards of one of the leading fact-checking outlets in Europe.

Narrative: This false rhetoric accuses Novosti of being financially supported by the former Croatian government to secure the political support of the Serbian minority in Parliament. Purveyors of disinformation and populists in Croatia suggest that the ultimate beneficiaries are not the Serbian minority but rather elites who use these political arrangements to implement their agendas. By framing Novosti in this way, the narrative seeks to discredit its work by suggesting that it serves foreign, rather than national or minority, interests.

Narrative: Alexander Roth is accused by the far-right, identitarians and conspiracy groups in Germany of being part of a conspiracy involving “power-hungry politicians.”, such as those in Government. It is important to note here that these groups do not recognise the authority of Germany’s democratically elected government. In this context, extremists suggest that Roth’s reporting is influenced by a “political elite” that seeks to control the press and manipulate public opinion for their gain. Roth is depicted as a tool of these elites, using his platform to push narratives that align with their interests, rather than providing what they consider an “objective” reporting.