CNN: “Kill Them All” – Russian-Linked Facebook Accounts Called for Violence

Representatives of social media companies are testifying to US Congress about Russian meddling in the US election through fake accounts and provocative posts on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. Prior to the hearing, Facebook admitted that more than 100 million Americans may have viewed Russian-made posts. At least 25 messages from a small number of accounts called for violence against police officers, Black Lives Matter activists and undocumented immigrants, reports CNN’s Curt Devine. The specific targets suggest that the Russian goal is to promote extremism and destabilize the United States, targeting the entire political spectrum, left and right. Devine reports on work in analyzing social media and propaganda by Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism. “The Internet Research Agency, a secretive company based in St. Petersburg, which the US intelligence community has linked to the Kremlin, appears to be the source of 470 inauthentic Facebook accounts that shared a wide range of controversial messages, Devine reports, adding that “Some of the violent posts received tens of thousands of likes, comments, shares, or reactions.” Facebook’s terms of service prohibit “hate speech” or content that “incites violence.” Critics urge more regulations and transparency for social media companies. – YaleGlobal