Journalist Identity Theft: How Russian Hybrid Operations Manipulate Media Trust

Recently, journalist identity theft has become one of the most alarming tactics used by pro-Russian disinformation networks. By impersonating credible reporters and faking established media brands such as Euronews, BBC, or France 24, propaganda groups like Storm-1516 have successfully blurred the lines between fact and fabrication. Their objective is not only to spread misinformation but also to erode public trust in journalism itself.

These operations publish fabricated news stories, often complete with stolen photos and falsified quotes, under the names of real reporters, as reported in the Euronews investigation. The Russian disinformation machine attempts to create seemingly legitimate reports that advance Kremlin narratives while discrediting professional journalists.

How Pro-Russian Networks Impersonate Journalists

One of the most common methods of journalist identity theft involves cloning legitimate media outlets. Sites such as CourrierFrance24 mimic reputable brands like France 24 and Courrier International by using similar domain names and visual layouts. These pages place fabricated stories among authentic-looking news articles, creating a false appearance of legitimacy.

Exploiting Journalists’ Public Profiles

For example, French entertainment journalist Romain Fiaschetti discovered his name and photo attached to a fake report claiming that France’s nuclear waste was being illegally sent to Armenia. Despite his denials, the fabricated article circulated across Azerbaijani and pro-Russian media channels—all linked to Storm-1516.

As British journalist Helen Brown explained, publishing one’s identity online has long been a marker of transparency. However, this openness is now weaponized. Her photo was used alongside a fake byline in an article accusing Ukrainian officials of embezzling €1.2 billion—a story attributed to The Telegraph.

Although Brown typically writes about art, not politics, her professional credibility was exploited to lend false authenticity to a fabricated scandal.

Sophisticated Fake News Attacks

According to Guillaume Coster, founder of the Finnish verification firm CheckFirst, the operations behind these propaganda campaigns are far less sophisticated than most people imagine. “They’re comparable to PR campaigns,” he told Euronews’ fact-checking unit, The Cube.

Romanian journalist Radu Dumitrescu, who covers political interference in Eastern Europe, was another victim. His name was used in a fake story accusing Moldovan President Maia Sandu of embezzlement—an attempt to discredit both the journalist and the subject he reports on.

Why Media Impersonation Works

Propaganda groups rely on the public’s implicit trust in familiar news brands. A convincing logo, a journalist’s name, and a well-written paragraph are often enough to convince readers the content is legitimate.

This strategy does not require sophisticated hacking—just social engineering and visual mimicry.

The damage extends far beyond personal reputation. The hijacking of journalists’ names jeopardizes the credibility of the entire media ecosystem in European democracies.

Falsified stories, crafted by pro-Kremlin forces, weaken democratic discourse by amplifying false narratives and undermining the audience’s ability to distinguish between truth and manipulation.

Industry Response and Legal Measures

Experts say that journalists need to report impersonation attempts right away and let online platforms know about them. The EU Digital Services Act legally requires social media and hosting providers to remove impersonation content and implement preventive measures.

Coster stresses that journalists should “use the tools that exist to put a barrier in the way of disinformation and propaganda.” Awareness campaigns, newsroom verification protocols, and collaboration with fact-checking networks are key defenses against identity-based manipulation.

Protecting Journalism’s Integrity

The rise of journalist identity theft reveals how fragile public trust in the media can be—and how it can be exploited. Combating this trend requires vigilance not only from journalists but also from readers, media companies, and tech platforms.

Authenticity is journalism’s most valuable asset. Defending it from foreign hybrid attacks—it’s a collective responsibility.