We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Russia Info Warriors (TV, R)
HEADLINE: Bypassing Digital Iron Curtain, Activists Message Millions in Russia
TEASER: Kremlin’s clampdown on Ukraine war news has hackers and volunteers from around the world working to keep Russian citizens informed using WhatsApp, email and phone calls
PUBLISHED AT: 4/1/2022 AT 9:45AM
BYLINE: Matt Dibble
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: San Francisco, CA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Matt Dibble
PRODUCER: Matt Dibble
SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, Skype, AFP, AP, Anis Jerbi, Wickr, Twitter, Squad303, US National Archives
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:03
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TV/R
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[The Kremlin’s clampdown on news of the war in Ukraine has hackers and volunteers from around the world texting directly to Russian citizens' phones to keep them informed. Matt Dibble has the story.]]
((NARRATOR))
Some are calling it the Digital Iron Curtain.
Since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government has increased its control over news reaching its citizens. It has blocked most social media in the country and silenced independent news outlets through a new law criminalizing war reporting.
((Mandatory courtesy: @Squad303/Twitter))
“We don’t need to buy guns. Our weapons are our smartphones.”
((NARRATOR))((Mandatory courtesy: @Squad303/Twitter))
Using a stolen database of millions of Russian phone numbers, a group of cyber activists based in Poland has created an easy way for anyone to send news of the war directly to Russian citizens.
((Jan Zumbach, Squad303 Founder)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Wickr))
“Thanks to all these people, we were able to send more than 40 million text messages, emails, WhatsApp messages to Russians.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory courtesy: US National Archives))
Using a pseudonym honoring a Polish war hero, “Jan Zumbach,” [yahn zoom-bahk] says his group was inspired by similar efforts during the Cold War.
[[For Radio Only: “Jan Zumbach,” who uses a pseudonym honoring a Polish war hero, says his group was inspired by similar efforts during the Cold War. He spoke to VOA via Wickr.]]
((Jan Zumbach, Squad303 founder)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Wickr))
“I can remember my parents and me listening to Radio Free Europe because it was the only source of knowledge about the truth about the world.”
((NARRATOR))
The 1920.in website supplies a phone number and suggested text in Russian. Sending a message takes just seconds.
((NARRATOR))
Kathy, a teacher in San Francisco who asked to not include her last name for privacy reasons, uses the site to appeal directly to Russians.
((Kathy, Teacher))
“And then I said, ‘Children's hospital, maternity hospitals and a theater where citizens were sleeping were bombed. It's a tragedy for Russia as well as Ukraine.’”
((NARRATOR)) She includes headlines and photos from a variety of news outlets.
((Kathy, Teacher))
“I think I sent 95 or 96, and I heard back from about 12 people.”
((NARRATOR))
Some of the responders question the news stories.
((Kathy, Teacher))
“She wrote back, ‘I'm sorry you believe this information. It's far from reality.’
I like to think that I'm planting a seed, if nothing else, that, you know, that maybe there's more for them to consider.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Anis Jerbi))
Anis Jerbi [ah-nees zhayr-bee], a 19-year-old in Tunisia who shares his artwork on social media, has sent over a hundred messages.
[[For Radio Only: He spoke to VOA via Skype.]]
((Anis Jerbi, Artist)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Skype))
“I got one reply so far, and this reply told me that I'm a liar and that what's going on in Ukraine is a lawful, heroic act.”
((NARRATOR)) Undeterred, Jerbi has been fine-tuning his messages to make them more personal.
((Anis Jerbi, Artist)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Skype))
“I think that there is hope, to make them understand what's actually going on. So, I have faith in the Russian people, honestly.”
((NARRATOR))
Fear of government surveillance may keep some Russians from responding, but Zumbach says that the messages are still having an impact and the Russian government has been trying to take down the 1920.in website.
((Jan Zumbach, Squad303 Founder)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Wickr))
“It's something terrible not to have access to information from the West and, you know, the rest of the globe. Basically, it's a burden. So, I believe that one day more and more people will start the dialogue.”
((Matt Dibble for VOA News, San Francisco, California ))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)San Francisco, CA
Embargo DateApril 1, 2022 13:59 EDT
BylineMatt Dibble
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
