The Past of News-Front’s Inauthentic Accounts: Involvement in Campaigns Supporting the Pension Agency and the CEC
On May 1, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) published its report on organized information operations by Kremlist news agency News-Front in the Georgian Facebook space. Facebook removed the global inauthentic network of News-Front from its platform on April 30. Along with the official News-Front Facebook page in Georgia, profiles of 12 inauthentic accounts and administrator of the News-Front page have also been removed. Since News-Front started operating in Georgia, this network of accounts was used for organized scheme of information dissemination and simulating engagement.
ISFED discovered that the inauthentic accounts closely linked to dissemination of News-Front content, in the past, have carried out organized information operations in support of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the Pension Agency and Badagoni Company.
Coordinated inauthentic network of News-Front has a history of manipulative information operations on Facebook. The coordinated inauthentic behavior of the network manifested during the 2018 presidential elections, engaging on 12 false media pages that acted in close coordination. These pages were used to wage information attacks on observer organizations, while the CEC was portrayed only in a positive light. This information operation was carried out mostly using opinions of pro-governmental experts Gia Abashidze and Zaal Anjaparidze.
Since April 2019, the inauthentic and large-scale activities of the network that disseminated News-Front were evident on the Facebook page of the Pension Agency. These accounts engaged in artificial interaction in the comments section of nearly all posts published on the official Facebook page of the Pension Agency with Facebook users, who were asking sincere questions or criticizing the pension reform. In addition to being active on the official page of the Agency, they were intensively spreading calls in support of the accumulative pension reform, including by engaging and amplifying conversations in Facebook groups with thousands of members.
ISFED investigation indicates that activities of the coordinated network of News-Front during the 2018 elections and its large-scale inauthentic social interaction in support of the Pension Agency is openly connected to the Head of the Pension Agency’s PR Department, Magda Kotrikadze, who is in turn connected to the 12 false media pages. Magda Kotrikadze’s Facebook activity suggests that she is friends with the pro-governmental experts promoted on these pages, Gia Abashidze and Zaal Anjaparidze.
Magda Kotrikadze’s name is also associated with the International Center for Democratic Initiatives (ICDI), the organization that has been funded by the CEC’s Electoral Systems’ Development, Reforms and Training Center six times since 2017. Activities of ICDI were also actively promoted by the 12 false media pages in this inauthentic network.
Traces of the administrator of News-Front’s Facebook page, Konstantine Chikviladze are also evident on these coordinated false media pages and the close ties of the inauthentic accounts with Chikviladze have been confirmed by ISFED. Notably, in 2013-2018, this network of 12 inauthentic personal accounts was involved in the operation for coordinated dissemination of contents of “geworld.ge”, another pro-Russian publication, while also disseminating posts of Konstantine Chikviladze.
News-Front Georgia is part of the network of a Kremlist news agency, News-front. Its official website lists Simferopol, Crimea in the contact information and indicates it as a territory of the Russian Federation. The agency incorporates publications in English, Bulgarian, German, Spanish, Serbian, Hungarian and Georgian languages. News-Front was founded under the June 26, 2015 Order of the Communications Regulation Agency of the Russian Federation, Roskomnadzor.
12 Inauthentic Accounts Disseminating News-Front and their Behavior
ISFED discovered 12 inauthentic accounts, through which News-Front content was published in different groups in an organized and selective manner, in addition to being published on the official page of News-Front Georgia. The inauthentic accounts were posing as individuals with different demographic characteristics, including age and sex, which made their false interaction seem natural as if they represented a large segment of society. In addition, the high degree of their demographic diversification masked their coordination and their organized activity remained unnoticed by Facebook users.
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The inauthentic accounts stole other people’s identities, their profiles did not show behaviors that are characteristic to common users, their activity heavily intertwined with Facebook activity of News-Front’s administrator, Konstantine Chikviladze. Since creation of the News-Front Georgia Facebook page in October 2019, these accounts engaged on Facebook in favor of News-Front and promoted expression of pro-Russian, anti-American sentiments, which created a false perception that these sentiments are shared by many Facebook users.
These inauthentic accounts displayed identical behavior on Facebook, as manifested in public posts that they published, in their comments, similar language used and pages liked, which were also identical. This possibly indicates that they were administered by a single source.
Coordination of these accounts is further proven by the fact that they had liked the same Facebook pages, among them News-Front page, coordinated 12 false media pages, Pension Agency and other pages.
Pages liked by the inauthentic Facebook profiles disseminating News-Front's posts. Page likes are almost identic, indicating close coordination.
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ISFED discovered that prior to November 2019 the infrastructure of inauthentic accounts of News-Front’s openly pro-Russian information operation was used for information campaigns on Facebook in a range of suspicious circumstances, using the astroturfing method[1], including in favor of state institutions. Their organized interference in the campaign on Facebook during the 2018 presidential elections is especially alarming. The interference manifested in portrayal of the CEC in a positive light on the one hand and attacks on ISFED on the other. In addition, during May-August, 2019, these inauthentic accounts were used in an especially organized manner, in an information campaign conducted on Facebook in favor of the Pension Agency.
Observation on activity of inauthentic accounts on Facebook indicates that most often their actual goal was to suppress discussions by real people, to disseminate similar, desired opinion at a large-scale by several accounts, which may lead people with different opinion, who are involved in discussions, to experience social unacceptability and subsequently force them to refrain from expressing their opinion (Bandwagon effect).
12 Coordinated False Media Pages and their Behavior
ISFED discovered 12 coordinated false media Facebook pages connected to News-Front’s inauthentic accounts, which post identical photo and video content within the same time intervals. The majority of materials published on these coordinated false media pages are election related issues. They published information on CEC activities in a positive context, including statements of the CEC chair and opinions of pro-government pundits, Zaal Anjaparidze and Gia Abashidze, who positively evaluated activities of the CEC while criticizing civil society and in particular, ISFED. These pages also cover activities of a non-governmental organization International Center for Democratic Initiatives (ICDI) in a positive light. One of the ICDI donors is the CEC’s Electoral Systems’ Development, Reforms and Training Center.
All twelve pages were created in February 2018, majority were created the same day – on February 22. During the 2018 Presidential Elections, all of these pages were associated with inauthentic accounts that have been found to disseminate News-Front materials in an inauthentic manner.
These pages post identical content and images, simultaneously and within the same intervals.
Illustration of the 12 false media pages and coordination of their post activity (source: CrowdTangle)
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On February 23, 2018, one of the coordinated pages, called „Public opinion საზოგადოებრივი აზრი“ was recommended by 7 inauthentic accounts, including News-Front administrator Konstantine Chikviladze, within a several-minute interval.
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In addition to publishing posts on election issues, false media Facebook pages also published in an organized manner opinions and photos of Levan Surguladze, Pension Agency’s director at the time, and Magda Kotrikadze, head of the Agency’s PR department.
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Daily news and Georgia news today shared: “Is client always right?!” – Magda Kotrikadze’s blog |
Moambe and MMH shared: Read a lengthy interview of the Pension Agency Director, Levan Surguladze in Forbes’ December issue On the photo: Levan Surguladze: I am immensely proud to be implementing the reform of an unprecedented scale in Georgia |
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Notably, a false media page currently called „HIPPO” was initially created on February 22, 2018, under the name of “Magda Kotrikadze” and 6 days later, on February 28, it was renamed. Head of the Pension Agency PR Department, Magda Kotrikadze has shared posts of this page on her personal Facebook page in 2018. In the past, Magda Kotrikadze used to be employed at ICDI.
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| Magda Kotrikadze shared Moambe:
#Itrust Please share! Like! Magda Kotrikadze shared Region.ge’s post: Planting of greenery organized by employees of Vardisubani administrative unit |
Magda Kotrikadze shared HIPPO’s post: Public meetings in an open air, within a project of the non-profit (non-commercial) legal entity International Center of Democratic Initiatives
Magda Kotrikadze shared HIPPO’s post: Company Gulf joined the movement for free air. Within the campaign “For Free Air”, up to twenty private companies will... |
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Use of Inauthentic Accounts Connected to News-Front During the 2018 Presidential Election
News-Front-connected inauthentic accounts identified by ISFED were engaged in simulation of comments on posts published by false media pages, in a selective, organized and coordinated manner, during the 2018 presidential elections. The main message of the organized comments was to demonstrate progress of the CEC and to discredit NGOs. The coordinated comments left by these accounts under the CEC photos and posts about opinions of pro-governmental experts, share the same message-box – aggression toward observer organizations and in particular, toward ISFED. These inauthentic accounts used demeaning epithets to refer to NGOs; they also tried to make it seem that observer organizations are in cahoots with the United National Movement. The timing of activity coincided with the massive negative campaign against NGOs by high government officials and some administrative bodies during the 2018 election period.
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Daily News post text: NGOs haven’t applied to us because so far the statement does not specify the region or a concrete fact – said CEC Chair Tamar Zhvania in response to the statement of NGOs, according to which employees of non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities of municipalities are possibly required to mobilize supporters of Salome Zourabichvili.
Comments by inauthentic accounts:
Eka-Teo Kadaria: she’s a great girl. Natsis [derogatory term used to refer to members of the United National Movement] have been trying a lot, together with their puppet NGOs – but they couldn’t come up with anything about the CEC!
Tamar Kopadze: efforts of Natsis are wasted, you can’t blacken a white object. CEC’s progress is evident.
Tamo Gabadze: exactly
Lamara Popkhadze: I wish CEC only a progress
Temur Gabedava: CEC is progressing in every way
Eka-Teo Kadaria: CEC is completely different now, compared to what it was. Natsis and their younger brothers – NGOs have tried to come up with something but in vain, despite their many efforts.
Moambe post text: NGOs haven’t applied to us because so far the statement does not specify the region or a concrete fact – said CEC Chair Tamar Zhvania in response to the statement of NGOs, according to which employees of non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities of municipalities are possibly required to mobilize supporters of Salome Zourabichvili.
Comments by inauthentic accounts:
Lamara Popkhadze: I wish success to the CEC!
Tika Tyeshelashvili: they’re not giving them a reason and never will, because today the CEC is completely different, and I can say this with pride
Vika Telia: indeed, the CEC is completely different today, under the leadership of an educated and competent person like her
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Notably, during the 2018 presidential election, the CEC officially paid for dissemination of opinions of Gia Abashidze and Zaal Anjaparidze in online media. The very same messages were published on coordinated false media pages.
According to MediaChecker report published on December 25, 2018, ahead of the second round of the presidential election, the CEC purchased the service of placing information in 28 online media outlets and paid a total of GEL 21,609 for it. With funding provided by the CEC, these outlets published mostly information on election preparation and progress. However, there were several other types of articles – for instance, expert opinions that aimed to justify the CEC decisions and portray them in a positive light.
Having compared these materials, ISFED discovered that the CEC paid media outlets to publish the very articles that were published by false media pages on Facebook in a coordinated manner, under which inauthentic accounts of News-Front were leaving comments in an attempt to spread messages that attacked NGOs and portrayed the CEC in positive light.
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Public Opinion post text: Gia Abashidze: in democracy it is not a taboo to criticize NGO sector. Analyst Gia Abashidze on the pre-election situation in the country, second interim report of ISFED and observations provided in the report.
Comment by Irakli Samushia: so they don’t like criticism, right? They should not only be criticized but destroyed, Natsi puppets, caste of shameless, who make black seem white and white seem black.
Region.ge post text: Gia Abashidze: in democracy it is not a taboo to criticize NGO sector. Analyst Gia Abashidze on the pre-election situation in the country, second interim report of ISFED and observations provided in the report.
Comment by Vika Telia: these NGOs are living it up at our expense
Comment by Tika Tyeshelashvili: you are right, Rati. They think they’re above the law, so they refuse to accept criticism, they seem to take offence in criticism. Who are they, who imposed them on us, why aren’t they subject to the same rules that apply to everyone? Get away from us...
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MMH post text: Gia Abashidze: the opposition is trying everything to discredit the CEC, while observers are positively evaluating the commission. Analyst Gia Abashidze reacts to the decision to hold the round of presidential election on a non-working day, claims of the opposition and appealing this issue in court. Comment by Eka-Teo Kadaria: the CEC has developed correctly and very well. High level of competence and transparency, introduction of new technologies and services, this is their axis and primary line... Observers are all approving these and of course, it’s not good for Natsis, so they’re making things up Comment by Irakli Samushia: I agree, the CEC deserves the highest evaluations. |
MMP post text: Gia Abashidze: the opposition is trying in every way to discredit the CEC, while observers are positively evaluating the commission. Analyst Gia Abashidze reacts to the decision to hold the round of presidential election on a non-working day, claims of the opposition and appealing this issue in court. Comment by Temur Gabedava: that’s why the CEC is working very well and it doesn’t deserve any reproofs from foreign observers. They positively evaluate it work, while Nationals are constantly trying to interfere with the CEC work and they come up with different rumors... They think it will benefit them. We’ll see. |
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HIPPO post text: Zaal Anjaparidze: the opposition needs to discredit the CEC in order to delegitimize elections. “Criticism of the opposition that the CEC is not protecting interests of Georgian citizens and is creating artificial barriers to voting is excessive. This opinion was shared by court when it didn’t satisfy united opposition’s complaint on the election date” – said analyst Zaal Anjaparidze Comment by Tika Tyeshelashvili: Natsis are trying to get points by criticizing the CEC and spreading rumors about them but they don’t know that they won’t get anything. Comment by Irakli Samushia: I wish success to the CEC, I am happy for your progress |
Geogia news today post text: Zaal Anjaparidze: the opposition needs to discredit the CEC in order to delegitimize elections. “Criticism of the opposition that the CEC is not protecting interests of Georgian citizens and is creating artificial barriers to voting is excessive. This opinion was shared by court when it didn’t satisfy united opposition’s complaint on the election date” – said analyst Zaal Anjaparidze Comment by Tamar Kopadze: can you see that so much dirt and lies of Natsis didn’t harm the CEC in any way? This means that they’re working really well, good job, they managed to maintain impartiality, keep it up! |
An example of an article published by an online media outlet that was paid for by the CEC. The article represents Gia Abashidze’s opinion. Exact same text was also published on false media pages where inauthentic accounts of News-Front left comments in an organized manner
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Gia Abashidze: opposition is trying everything to discredit the CEC, while observers positively evaluate the commission Analyst Gia Abashidze reacts to the decision to hold the round of presidential election on a non-working day, claims of the opposition and appealing this issue in court. According to him, the National Movement, which cites art.95 of the Election Code, claims that their interpretation of the law is the right interpretation. Gia Abashidze stated that this article deals with the first round of presidential election, not the second. According to him, if court finds that the law hasn’t been violated, it will become clear that this is the case of political speculations. According to the legislation, the CEC could have summarized the results within the established deadline – on November 17, however, it happened three days before the deadline established by the law. The reasons are from the sphere of different political insinuations. We must also say that international observers and NGOs said that the law hadn’t been violated. It would have been better to summarize the results on Saturday, November 17, and the two-week period could have been counted from that day” – said Gia Abashidze. As to complaints of Transparency International about the CEC, concerning extension of voting to 12:00 at electoral precincts abroad, which the organization is planning to appeal, Gia Abashidze said that this is the case when the law leaves room for different interpretations. “Electoral legislation clearly states that under special circumstances, the CEC has the discretion to determine the procedure and the timeframe, which in this case, is used for Georgian citizens abroad. Generally, it seems to me that the National Movement and some of its satellites in media or civil sector are constantly focused on raising the temperature of public discontent” – said Gia Abashidze. According to him, opposition is making preemptory and impulsive statements. “Statements of the opposition on mass election fraud were refuted by international observers, as expected. Now we have a similar situation. The opposition is trying everything to discredit the CEC and it is making a range of hyperbolic accusations. However, the existing situation is completely different and this is now acknowledged by international observers, who recommend correction of existing flaws and they haven’t pointed at any systemic failures” – said Gia Abashidze. |
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In addition to comments on false media Facebook pages, News-Front’s inauthentic accounts also disseminated articles sponsored by the CEC in different Facebook groups, by posting links, accompanied by positive messages about the CEC and anti-opposition messages.
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CEC-sponsored Newspress.Ge article shared by Eka-Teo Kadaria to two Facebook groups (Political Processes and Politics in Georgia) with the same post text: Provocateur Natsis – calm down! Opposition is trying everything to discredit the CEC, while foreign observers positively evaluate its work |
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It is worth noting, that the head of the Pension Agency’s PR Department, Magda Kotrikadze, whose name is clearly associated with these pages, is listed as a point of contact for an NGO “International Center for Democratic Initiatives” in the application for a grant awarded by the CEC’s Electoral Systems’ Development, Reforms and Training Center. In addition, in the comments section of posts published on the official Facebook page of the ICDI, the organization itself shares posts published by false media Facebook pages.
Moreover, in 2017, one of the inauthentic accounts of News-Front disseminated ICDI reports in different Facebook groups, together with messages of positive evaluation of the CEC activities.
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Tamar Kopadze shared an article on ICDI report in groups - Bidzina Ivanishvili’s friends on Facebook and Protest! The title of the article: ICDI – not a single complaint has been made in the process of composition of commissions Comment by Tamo Gabadze: I am glad to hear about the CEC's progress. Trust towards this institution is gradually growing, which will undisputably benefit advancement of the country and development of democracy. Comment by Tamar Kopadze: yest, that’s the truth. An effective system of training for the youth and maximum use of experienced personnel, a combination of which leads to such a positive outcome. |
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Tamar Kopadze shared an article about ICDI report to the group Bidzina Ivanishvili is my fellow-citizen: The International Center for Democratic Initiatives believes that the factors that facilitate staffing of PECs by more experienced and qualified personnel, creates an expectation of a healthy electoral environment. We are constantly in the epicenter of developments because we are implementing a monitoring mission and we feel the responsibility to present the data that we prepare to general public. The title of the article: New composition of electoral precincts is characterized by a high professional standard Comment by Tika Tyeshelashvili: I am happy for the CEC’s success. I have no doubt that future elections will express Georgian voters’ free will. |
Tamar Kopadze shared an article about ICDI report to the group Bidzina Ivanishvili’s friends on Facebook: The International Center for Democratic Initiatives believes that the factors that facilitate staffing of PECs by more experienced and qualified personnel, creates an expectation of a healthy electoral environment. We are constantly in the epicenter of developments because we are implementing a monitoring mission and we feel the responsibility to present the data that we prepare to general public. The title of the article: New composition of electoral precincts is characterized by a high professional standard |
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Inauthentic behavior of News-Front’s Accounts in Support of the Pension Agency
Organized inauthentic behavior of News-Front’s inauthentic accounts continued in May-August 2019, on the official Facebook page of the Pension Agency.
These accounts engaged in artificial interaction with Facebook users in the comments section of nearly all posts published on the official Facebook page of the Pension Agency, where users were asking sincere questions or criticizing the pension reform. In addition to being active on the official page of the Agency, they were also intensively spreading calls in support of the accumulative pension reform, including by being active in Facebook groups and pages.
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1. Kote Kereselidze shared an article in the group Russia and Georgia – Eternal Friendship: You should develop institutional investments, which means development of pension funds. Title of the article: Werner Liepach – Pension reform is very important for the country Comment by Tika Tyeshelashvili: the youth will have a lot of money saved by the time they reach pension age, which reminds me of old times, when my grandparents relied on their pensions. 2. Tika Tyeshelashvili shared Pension Agency’s post to the group Bidzina Ivanishvili’s friends on Facebook: Pension funds have no alternative – not a single successful country and successful economy in the world has managed to... |
1. Eka-Teo Kadaria shared an article in the group Bidzina Ivanishvili’s friends on Facebook: You should develop institutional investments, which means development of pension funds.
Title of the article: Werner Liepach – Pension reform is very important for the country Comment by Tamar Kopadze: I wish success to the Pension Agency and to this reform! 2. Eka-Teo Kadaria shared Pension Agency’s post to the group Bidzina Ivanishvili’s friends on Facebook: Comment by Tamar Kopadze: I wish success to the Georgian project, pension reform!!!! Tamo Gabadze shared an article in the group Protest!: You should develop institutional investments, which means development of pension funds. Title of the article: Werner Liepach – Pension reform is very important for the country |
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Since these accounts were posing as individuals with different demographic characteristics (different age, sex, geographic location), they simulated discussion about posts published on the official Facebook page of the Pension Agency, in a simultaneous and organized manner. According to this scheme, one inauthentic account asks a question about the pension reform, while others leave many comments in an attempt to “persuade” him/her in importance of the pension reform. Notably, often they deem those with comments of criticism or distrust as “trolls/bots” of the National Movement or opposition in general.
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Comment by Eka-Teo Kadaria: I don’t know if I should laugh or cry about the fact that the reform itself isn’t discussed in comments, they are mostly talking about trust. I don’t trust anyone but my family in this country but it doesn’t mean that...
Question by Nona Kvirkvaia: I am surprised that you’re not writing anything about pension age. Pension age should be reduced to 55 and 60 years for women and men, respectively.
Reply by Vika Telia: This agency isn’t working on these issues. They are only concerned with the accumulative pension system
Comment by Temur Gabedava: Raul, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you know what you want? Is someone telling you to come here and write these stupid things?
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Comment by Irakli Samushia: sometimes I read Georgian press and I become angry because they don’t know how to write news, they don’t have any education. Georgian journalism is a shame. Who do you think will be interested in the information about salary of the head of the agency?! Reply by Tamar Kopadze: I agree. Initially, I didn’t know what it was about, so I left the system. Now I’m going back! Reply by Irakli Samushia: such reforms help develop national economy and business. Is anyone interested in explaining everything to the people, talking about importance of the reform for the country and for the people?! Journalism in Georgia has become only means for making money. Reply by Tamo Gabadze: Irakli Samushia, of course, you are right. If journalists cared for the people, instead of irritating them with some cheap news, they would have informed them about the need of such reforms in the country. Comment by Tamo Gabadze: Irakli Samushia, of course this is the truth, you are right. If journalists cared for the people, instead of irritating them with some cheap news, they would have informed them about the need of such reforms in the country, savings that people will have and so on. Instead, they are trying to irritate people. Comment by Lamara Popkhadze: When you started working, Nationals made a big deal out of it, saying that you were ruining the country, so I left the scheme. Soon my accountant explained that it wasn’t true, they are using it for their political goals, they are revolting people intentionally, for their political goals! So I want to enroll in the scheme again. Can you tell me how to do it? Sincerely. |
In addition to the official page of the Pension Agency, discussions simulated about the pension reform by accounts from the inauthentic network took place in large thematic Facebook groups as well. Their fake interaction is confirmed by the fact that one inauthentic account was explaining benefits of the pension reform to other users on the Pension Agency page, while several days later the same account was requesting information about the pension reform in a Facebook, in response to which other accounts from the inauthentic network responded to her requests and explained details of the reform.
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Pension Agency’s post on 3 June 2019 shared in a group: Comment by Lamara Popkhadze: do you know how to calculate how much I’ll get after I reach the pension age? Reply by Tamar Kopadze: it’s a great reform! Reply by Vika Telia: Thank you Zviad, well said. Comment by Natia Kakabadze: I agree, this is an acceptable and moreover, necessary and timely reform that will benefit Georgia and its people. |
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Comment on Pension Agency’s Facebook page on 10 May 2019: Comment by Lamara Popkhadze: why aren’t you saying anything about other taxes? Why are you worried about this particular tax? We are investing 2% of our salary in our future, the State and the employers are investing an additional 2% each. We are getting 8-10% annual profit by investing these funds. In addition, you should read the news; Asian Bank will be investing an additional 4 billion in this project. |
Vika Telia is asking a question under the link shared in a public group on June 8: "Do you know how to control your account?” However, three days ago, under a different post she explained in detail to another user how to control a personal account.
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Comment by Koba Gzirishvili: you should at least create a site, where we can see how much we’ve saved. Reply by Vika Telia on 5 June 2019: go to this site to see how much you have saved. To enter the system, you will need a personal number and a code that your accountant will give you. You’ll need a temporary password that your employer will provide. You should register first. Comment by Vika Telia on 8 June 2019: do you know how to control your account? |
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Another coordinated behavior of accounts that disseminate News-Front content is related to the dispute on ownership of a company Badagoni. In February-March 2018, they expressed their support to Badagoni through public posts and simulated comments. Posts supporting the company are also published on the false media pages discussed above.
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Post by Daily news: Great success of Badagoni at the international level! At the most prestigious wine competition Mundus Vini, held in Germany, Badagoni red wines Alaverdis Traditsia and Kakhuri Tsarchinebuli were awarded golden medals. Notably, over 10,000 wines participated in the competition Mundis Vini, which is a record number of participants. Comment by Vika Telia: Badagoni’s win is truly a success for our country. Comment by Irakli Samushia: the year has not begun yet and you have been awarded by three medals in a row. Bravo to your right-hand! |
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Post by Region.ge: Great success of Badagoni at the international level! At the most prestigious wine competition Mundus Vini, held in Germany, Badagoni red wines Alaverdis Traditsia and Kakhuri Tsarchinebuli were awarded golden medals. Notably, over 10,000 wines participated in the competition Mundis Vini, which is a record number of participants. Comment by Irakli Samushia: I congratulate you on three golden medals received this year Comment by Vika Telia:I love it but how can we protect it from political peripeteias? Reply by Kote Kereselidze: believe me, political peripeteias are fleeting, we’ll protect Badagoni! |
In Conclusion
News-Front is a Kremlist information agent that operates in Georgia and was actively using Facebook to wage pro-Russian and anti-Western campaigns. As ISFED investigation has shown, the agency and inauthentic accounts that operated in favor of the agency intentionally and selectively shared News-Front’s posts in thematic groups and simulated comments, which, in addition to intentional polarization of the Georgian political environment was possibly also related to the 2020 parliamentary elections.
It is especially alarming that the same accounts were used in favor of the CEC and the Pension Agency. In this scheme, ties with Magda Kotrikadze, Pension Agency’s head of PR department, false media pages connected to her, and ICDI, a CEC grantee, have been identified. In addition, these false media pages were disseminating texts sponsored by the CEC, while inauthentic accounts were attacking ISFED and other observer organizations. Based on reputational risks of the Pension Agency and the CEC and other organizations, it is important to clarify what mechanisms were used to mobilize inauthentic accounts and how accounts associated with Kremlist media outlets conducted information campaigns in their favor on Facebook.
The report is prepared based on openly available sources on Facebook. Assessment of the personal accounts (profiles) stems from their public activity only. CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool owned by Facebook, was used as a monitoring tool, while public posts of the Facebook pages were collected through Fact-a-lyzer, a monitoring tool developed by NDI with ISFED’s input.
ISFED’s social media monitoring program is carried out with the generous support from the American people through financial assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), East-West Management Institute’s (EWMI) ACCESS Project, and through funding from Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). Content of this report is the sole responsibility of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy and may not necessarily reflect the views of the donor organizations.
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[1] Astroturfing – the practice of disguising an organization or a sponsor of a campaign to make it appear as though they are supported by public.