Russian social media also targeted U.S. energy industry, congressional report says

collected by :Victor Alphen

The House Science Committee report offered an extensive account of what it says were covert Kremlin efforts from 2015 to 2017 to use inflammatory social media posts to distort online discourse about U.S. energy markets, pipeline development, fracking and climate change. "By posting content that supports positions held by both liberals and conservatives alike, the Russians used social media to instigate and inflame discord in the United States," the report states. "Russian social media manipulators intentionally injected foreign propaganda into American political discourse."The ultimate goal, the report said, was to benefit the Russian energy sector, which is the country's biggest export revenue generator. The report also said that Russian-sponsored agents funneled cash to U.S. environmental groups to portray energy companies in negative ways and disrupt domestic energy markets. "The committee will continue to work with social media companies, which have taken positive steps to bring transparency to the online debate," the report concludes.

Report finds Russian agents used social media to disrupt U.S. energy policy, markets

Report finds Russian agents used social media to disrupt U.S. energy policy, marketsRussia has used social media to spread propaganda designed to disrupt U.S. energy markets and influence U.S. energy policy, according to a report released by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on Thursday. © ShutterstockRussians posted on social media about U.S. energy policy or happenings within the energy sector 9.097 times from 2015 to 2017. That's why Russian agents attempted to manipulate Americans' opinions about pipelines, fossil fuels, fracking and climate change. The American people deserve to know if what they see on social media is the creation of a foreign power seeking to undermine our domestic energy policy."IRA social media activity targeted pipelines, fossil fuels, climate change and other contentious issues surrounding U.S. energy policy. In September, Smith requested information from Twitter and Facebook about Russian agents purchasing energy-related advertisements on the platform.

Russians used social media to stir divisions on U.S. energy policy: lawmakers

as declared in WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russian operatives attempting to discourage U.S. energy production posted thousands of messages on social media supporting environmental activists in their campaign to limit oil and gas projects, a report by Republican lawmakers said on Thursday. Democrats on the panel and environmentalists criticized Republicans for focusing on energy policy instead of election meddling. The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the panel's report. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque"The American people deserve to know if what they see on social media is the creation of a foreign power seeking to undermine our domestic energy policy," Smith said. A specialist on energy and foreign policy said the postings likely had little influence on U.S. energy markets.