The Department of State announced measures to counter Russia's election interference and foreign malign influence operations. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated on September 4, 2024, that the Department is implementing three steps to counter Kremlin-backed media outlets' operations aimed at influencing or interfering in the 2024 U.S. elections.
"Moscow’s methods of targeting those it identifies as adversaries are well known – from its illegal and unwarranted invasion of sovereign nations to the unjust imprisonment of innocent persons, to cyberattacks and meddling in foreign elections, to conducting sham elections in Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine," Blinken said.
RT, formerly known as Russia Today, has reportedly moved beyond being a mere media organization. "RT has contracted with a private company to pay unwitting Americans millions of dollars to carry the Kremlin’s message to influence the U.S. elections and undermine democracy," Blinken noted. He added that RT’s leadership is aware of this enterprise.
To counter these covert influence operations, the Department is introducing a new visa restriction policy and making determinations under the Foreign Missions Act regarding RT's parent company Rossiya Segodnya and its subsidiaries RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Sputnik, and Ruptly. Additionally, a Rewards for Justice offer has been announced.
"Today’s announcement highlights the lengths some foreign governments go to undermine American democratic institutions," Blinken emphasized. "But these foreign governments should also know that we will not tolerate foreign malign actors intentionally interfering and undermining free and fair elections."
The United States remains committed to exposing state-sponsored actors who attempt to undermine democratic institutions and holding them accountable for their actions.
