Lithuania’s security agency warns about Russia upping its propaganda game

“Increasingly obvious Russian efforts to instigate an information war have been observed along with its aims to spread its propaganda in the mass media, online media and social networks of Lithuania,” the department said in a statement published on its website.

According to the communiqué, Russia is searching for ways to invest in media companies in Lithuania or sponsor them under the disguise of enterprises registered in other countries to influence their content of information and broadcasts.

The department said representatives of foreign countries, not necessarily Russia, may propose cooperation to media companies in Lithuania and ask to spread information favourable to Russia, organize information campaigns or simply publish contracted articles.

According to the communiqué, efforts are also made to formulate an information background adverse to Lithuania in regional media.

The State Security Department urged the society to stand strong against the potential Russian provocations and notify the department without delay about any premeditated or suspicious propaganda, attempts to make financial influence or aims to influence the content of information under preparation.