Britain is seeking to counter a cold war-style “information war” by investing in a range of projects, from “rebranding” Ukraine to influencing Russian speakers in Baltic states.
The UK’s efforts have included hiring M&C Saatchi – the
advertising agency synonymous with Tory election campaigns – to run a
project with the Foreign Office to rehabilitate Britain’s ally Ukraine,
including using social media to target viewers of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was hosted by Kiev this summer.
The Foreign Office is also funding nascent programmes to identify how
Britain can influence Russian-speaking minorities in Baltic states –
regarded as a potential flashpoint between Nato and a resurgent Russia. Another initiative will invite Russian journalists to “themed tours” of the UK.
The funding is a response to an increasingly muscular
“infowars” campaign in which Russia-backed media outlets have been
accused of seeking to meddle in the EU referendum as well as elections
in the US, France and Germany.
Tim Duffy, UK group chairman of M&C Saatchi, said it was company
policy not to comment on government contracts. However, partially
redacted documents give an insight into the £100,000 contract, under
which the agency works with Foreign Office teams, Britain’s embassy in
Kiev and Ukrainian government officials.
English-speaking tourists, investors and media, including CNN and the
BBC, were listed as the intended audience for the project to
rehabilitate Ukraine’s reputation, which opinion polls said tended to be
negative. Part of the brief stipulated that the project should identify
political and economic success stories and “show that Ukraine is a
viable and successful country– despite recent issues with Russia and the
annexation of Crimea”.
Britain’s broader package of assistance to Ukraine, which is engaged
not just in a bitter conflict with Russian-backed separatists but also a
propaganda war with the Kremlin, included £2.4m to help the Kiev
government improve its communications strategy.
The Observer has established that the money came from the
£1bn-plus conflict, stability and security fund (CSSF), a source so
secret that a committee of senior MPs and peers meant to be scrutinising
it have been denied access to the names of the 40 countries where it is
spent. Other CSSF-funded projects in eastern Europe this year included
nearly £1m on “target audience analysis” aimed at Russian-speaking
minorities in Baltic states.
Separately, the Reuters Foundation has been awarded an £80,000
contract to deliver themed tours to Russian journalists and “online
influencers”.
“The main objective is to use British expertise to support and
develop quality journalism in Russia by enabling Russian journalists and
on-line influencers to develop skills and capacity while contributing
to a greater understanding of UK journalistic standards and ethics,” the
contract adds.
Another major research project by the Open University and the
University of Manchester into the influence of RT – the Kremlin-backed
media outlet formerly known as Russia Today – was launched last Thursday
in London.
The launch of the Reframing Russia
project was told by Ellen Mickiewicz, from Duke University in North
Carolina, that while RT often appeared to be inept and hamfisted, its
influence should not be underestimated. James Nixey, head of the Russia
and Eurasia programme at Chatham House went further, claiming that the
Russian government believed that it was at war and western governments
were only now waking up to that.
Professor Stephen Hutchings, who is leading the research project, told the Observer
that it was worth remembering that the FCO used to fund the BBC World
Service, including its Russian-Language arm until 2014, when a toll was
taken by cuts.
“The timing could not have been more unfortunate, with 2014 being the year in which the Ukraine crisis flared up,” he added.
He said that recent contracts appeared “are in some ways an attempt
to compensate and play ‘catch-up’ in light of the growing concern in the
FCO and defence communities about Russia’s extensive ‘propaganda’
operation.”
Many ESC fans from all over the world are so very sad because we lost Joy Fleming - one of the best singers ever.
Betty
MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel sings 'Try to remember'
especially for Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund at Vita
Magica September
you can join
on Facebook
Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel -
Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia ( English / German )
Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )
Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French )
Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)
Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
Betty MacDonald fan club items
Betty MacDonald fan club items - comments
Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I
Betty MacDonald fan club groups
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Greta Larson
photo: Bernd Kunze
Betty MacDonald fan club fans,
don't miss Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica on August 29, please.
It will be a great event with famous writer Wolfgang Vater and outstanding Friedrich von Hoheneichen.
Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans from all over the World are very interested in Wolfgang Hampel's interviews, stories and poems.
You'll be able to read some of Wolfgang Hampel's new satirical stories and poems in our next Betty MacDonald Fan Club magazine.
Wolfgang Hampel is journalist, author, artist and poet.
He
is the winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award.
As
we all know Wolfgang Hampel founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty
MacDonald Society in 1983.
Betty MacDonald Fan Club has members in 40
countries.
Wolfgang Hampel visited all the places where Betty MacDonald and her family lived.
Wolfgang
Hampel's new Betty MacDonald documentary of Betty MacDonald's life in
Boulder, Butte, Seattle, Laurelhurst, Chimacum, Vashon Island, Carmel
and Carmel Valley is really fascinating. My personal favourites are
scenes of Betty's and Don's life in Carmel and Carmel Valley.
Wolfgang
Hampel, author of Betty MacDonald Biography, interviewed Betty
MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and
writers, for example Astrid Lindgren, Truman Capote, J. K. Rowling, Maurice Sendak, David Guterson, Donna Leon, Ingrid Noll, Marie Marcks, William Cumming, Walt Woodward and Betty MacDonald
Fan Club Honour Members Monica Sone, Letizia Mancino, Darsie Beck and Gwen Grant.
Wolfgang Hampel is also very well known for his satirical poems and stories.
We
are going to share Wolfgang Hampel's work with many fans from all over
the world who adore his Betty MacDonald Biography and unique Betty
MacDonald Interviews.
Wolfgang Hampel's monthly literary event introducing writers and musicians is very successful Vita Magica.
Viele Betty MacDonald Fan Club
Fans aus der ganzen Welt sind sehr an Wolfgang Hampels Interviews,
Geschichten und Gedichten interessiert.
Sie
können einige von Wolfgang Hampels neuen satirischen Geschichten und
Gedichten im nächsten Betty MacDonald Fan Club Magazin lesen.
Wolfgang Hampel ist Journalist, Autor, Künstler und Poet.
Er
ist der Träger des ersten Betty MacDonald Gedächtnispreises.
Wie wir alle wissen gründete Wolfgang Hampel 1983 den
Betty MacDonald Fan Club und die Betty MacDonald Society.
Der Betty
MacDonald Fan Club hat Mitglieder in 40 Ländern.
Wolfgang Hampel besuchte alle Orte wo Betty MacDonald und ihre Familie lebte.
Wolfgang
Hampels neue Betty MacDonald Dokumentation über Betty MacDonalds Leben
in Boulder, Butte, Seattle, Laurelhurst, Chimacum, Vashon, Carmel und
Carmel Valley ist wirklich faszinierend. Ein Höhepunkt sind Szenen von
Bettys und Dons Leben in Carmel und Carmel Valley. Wolfgang
Hampel, Autor der Betty MacDonald Biografie, interviewte Betty
MacDonalds Familie und Freunde und viele andere berühmte Künstler und
Schriftsteller, z.B. Astrid Lindgren, Truman Capote, J. K. Rowling, Maurice Sendak, Donna Leon, David Guterson, Marie Marcks, Ingrid Noll, William Cumming, Walt Woodward und Betty MacDonald
Fan Club Ehrenmitglieder Monica Sone, Letizia Mancino, Darsie Beck und Gwen Grant.
Wolfgang Hampel ist auch sehr bekannt für seine satirischen Gedichte und Geschichten.
Wir
werden Wolfgang Hampels Werk den vielen Fans aus aller Welt vorstellen,
die seine Betty MacDonald Biografie und die einzigartigen Betty
MacDonald Interviews schätzen.
Wolfgang Hampels sehr erfolgreiche Vita Magica ist eine monatliche literarische Veranstaltung und stellt Schriftsteller und Musiker vor.
Thomas
you can join
on Facebook
Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel -
Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia ( English / German )
Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )
Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French )
Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)
Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
Betty MacDonald fan club items
Betty MacDonald fan club items - comments
Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I
Betty MacDonald fan club groups
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Greta Larson
Betty MacDonald fan club founder and Vita Magica organizer Wolfgang Hampel
picture: Bernd Kunze
Betty MacDonald fan club - and Vita Magica fans,
Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica is celebrating its 2nd birthday on Tuesday, July 25th.
Don't miss this very special Vita Magica July event, please.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder and Vita Magica organizer Wolfgang Hampel and
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund shared the very exciting
info that some surprising birthday gifts and guests are waiting for
you!
Thanks a million for your support and interest!
You can join Vita Magica on Facebook.
Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans from all over the World are very interested in Wolfgang Hampel's interviews, stories and poems.
You'll be able to read some of Wolfgang Hampel's new satirical stories and poems in our next Betty MacDonald Fan Club magazine.
Wolfgang Hampel is journalist, author, artist and poet.
He
is the winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award.
As
we all know Wolfgang Hampel founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty
MacDonald Society in 1983.
Betty MacDonald Fan Club has members in 40
countries.
Wolfgang
Hampel's new Betty MacDonald documentary of Betty MacDonald's life in
Boulder, Butte, Seattle, Laurelhurst, Chimacum, Vashon Island, Carmel
and Carmel Valley is really fascinating. My personal favourites are
scenes of Betty's and Don's life in Carmel and Carmel Valley.
Wolfgang
Hampel, author of Betty MacDonald Biography, interviewed Betty
MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and
writers, for example Astrid Lindgren, Truman Capote, J. K. Rowling, Maurice Sendak, David Guterson, Donna Leon, Ingrid Noll, Marie Marcks, William Cumming, Walt Woodward and Betty MacDonald
Fan Club Honour Members Monica Sone, Letizia Mancino, Darsie Beck and Gwen Grant.
Wolfgang Hampel is also very well known for his satirical poems and stories.
We
are going to share Wolfgang Hampel's work with many fans from all over
the world who adore his Betty MacDonald Biography and unique Betty
MacDonald Interviews.
Wolfgang Hampel's other very successful literary project is Vita Magica.
That's a special firework for Vita Magica's 2nd birthday.
Greetings,
Astrid & Thomas
you can join
on Facebook
Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel -
Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia ( English / German )
Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )
Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French )
Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)
Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
Betty MacDonald fan club items
Betty MacDonald fan club items - comments
Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I
Betty MacDonald fan club groups
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Greta Larson
