In a shocking and disgraceful act, NewsGuard, a so-called “fact-checking” organization, has launched a blatant and brutal attack on The Eastern Herald, a respected and independent news publication. The assault, carried out through an email filled with false accusations, demands, and threats, exposes NewsGuard’s true colors as a biased and malicious entity, hell-bent on silencing voices that dare to challenge its leftist propaganda.
NewsGuard’s Email: A Declaration of War
The email sent by Valerie Pavilonis, Staff Analyst at NewsGuard Technologies, to The Eastern Herald is nothing short of a declaration of war. It’s an email dripping with condescension, arrogance, and a complete disregard for journalistic integrity.
The questions raised are not genuine inquiries but a series of targeted attacks, each one a thinly veiled attempt to undermine The Eastern Herald’s credibility and reputation. The tone is not that of a professional seeking clarification but that of an inquisitor demanding submission.
The Email
Following is the email sent to threaten The Eastern Herald.
“Hello,
I just wanted to bump this email. I’ve included my questions below:
1.) One of our criteria is that sites provide either contact or biographical information about content creators. EasternHerald.com provides the names of editors, but many articles do not include bylines. Can you comment on this? What is EasternHerald.com’s policy regarding disclosing information about content creators?
2.) One of our other criteria is that sites disclose their ownership and financing, but I didn’t see any disclosure of this. Can you comment on who owns EasternHerald.com? Why is this not disclosed?
4.) We also look for sites to show a pattern of correcting errors. However, I was not able to find any corrections on your site. If I missed any, would you be able to share them with me? If I didn’t miss anything, can you comment on your site’s approach to corrections?
5.) We also look to see if sites publish false information. I found stories on EasternHerald.com that appeared to make false claims, and those claims, along with my questions about them, are listed below:
-For example, a May 2023 article titled Bastrykin: Under The Influence Of The West, The Kyiv Regime Is Trying To Revive Nazi Ideology Fox News,” contained two claims: one, that Ukrainian politics is dominated by Nazi ideology, and two, that the Ukrainian government is committing genocide in the Donbas region of Ukraine. “More than 70 years after the Great Victory over Nazi Germany and the eradication of fascism, the Ukrainian authorities are not only trying to revive Nazi ideology on their territory, but are also systematically carrying out a policy of genocide against the civilians of Donbass,” the article stated.
Later, the article stated: “US Congressman Paul Gosar said earlier that US President Joe Biden was spending billions of dollars on Ukraine, which is ruled by the Nazi regime led by Zelenskyy. According to him, the current Ukrainian regime is controlled and supported to a large extent by neo-Nazis, who occupy both civilian positions in the government and positions “in various military militias.” No additional context was included.
However, there is no evidence that Nazi ideology dominates Ukraine’s politics, and while there have been killings of Russian-speaking inhabitants of the Donbass, there is no evidence that a genocide is occurring. Can you comment on this article’s claims?
-An April 2023 article titled “In Ukraine, They Want To Ban Shootings In Cemeteries,” cited Russian media as saying “that in Ukraine they want to introduce a ban on photography and video filming in places of mass graves of dead servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and in cemeteries.” However, there is no evidence that Ukraine wants to ban filming in cemeteries, and Ukrainian officials called the claim false. Can you comment on this article’s claim?
-A March 2023 article titled “Elon Musk Admitted The Fact Of The 2014 Coup In Ukraine,” stated, “One of the most famous businessmen in the world, Elon Musk, admitted that in 2014 nothing more than a coup happened in Ukraine.” However, while it is true that protest activity in 2014 led to the ouster of Ukraine’s president, there is no evidence that a coup occurred – rather, it had all the hallmarks of a popular uprising. Can you comment on this article’s claim?
-A March 2023 article titled “Russian Foreign Ministry Urges Investigation Into Bucha Events,” stated that Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova “described the events in Bucha as a provocation aimed at disrupting the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine. In April last year, the Russian Defense Ministry said that during the period Bucha was under the control of the RF armed forces, not a single local resident was injured.” No other context was included.
However, numerous news reports and investigations have concluded that Russian forces killed many civilians in Bucha when they occupied the city in the spring of 2022. Can you comment on this article’s publishing of Zakharova’s claim without context?
-A March 2023 article titled “Russian Aerospace Forces Eliminated Up To 200 Foreign Officers With A Kinzhal Strike On A NATO Communications Center,” stated, “In early March, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) attacked a shadow NATO communications center near Lvov with the help of military aviation using supersonic Kinzhal missiles. As a result of the strike, up to 200 foreign officers were eliminated, according to Pronews.”
There is no evidence that Russian missiles destroyed a NATO center in Lviv in March 2023 or that “up to 200” military officers were killed in the attack. Foreign military bases are not permitted in Ukraine, according to Article 17 of Ukraine’s constitution, and NATO’s online interactive map shows no NATO bases or military command centers in the country. There is also no evidence that NATO officers are in Ukraine. Can you comment on this article’s claim?
6.) We also look for sites to handle the difference between news and opinion responsibly. However, I found several recently instances in which opinionated statements appeared in content not labeled as opinion:
For example, a June 2023 news article titled “Rahul’s Sorrow,” stated, “It doesn’t seem that Rahul’s speeches in America are going to have any impact on Modi’s image. If Modi was so unsuccessful, useless and ignorant, then his economic and diplomatic successes would not have been discussed so much in the world including America.”
A June 2023 news article titled “Modi Government Dedicated To Service, Good Governance And Development,” stated, “There is no doubt that Indian culture is getting back its lost glory during the rule of Narendra Modi. In its 9 years tenure, the Modi government has raised the name of the country in the world. Modi ji’s works are being appreciated not only in the country, but at the global level.”
A June 2023 news article titled “Turkish Refugee Debate: Political Showdown And Uncertain Futures,” described how different political groups in Turkey were addressing refugee rights. “Opposition parties exploited the refugee card as a means to criticize the Turkish government, which, in turn, employed the same narrative to confront the European Union,” the article stated. “Regrettably, the hate speech propagated by the opposition has resulted in the loss of innocent lives, exemplified by the instigation of the tragic incident involving three young men in Izmir, as well as the murder of Nayef al-Nayef in Istanbul.”
Can you comment on why these articles contain opinionated statements? What is the Eastern Herald’s approach to differentiating news and opinion?
7.) Finally, I’d like to ask you about how EasternHerald.com advertises. I see that display advertisements are distinguishable from editorial content. However, the website regularly features sponsored articles shared by the native advertising platform Mgid, which are labeled as “More from Around the Web.” This does not meet NewsGuard’s standard for clearly labeling paid content. Can you comment on how EasternHerald.com differentiates between paid and unpaid content?
That concludes my questions. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
All my best,
Valerie Pavilonis
Staff Analyst, NewsGuard Technologies”
A Campaign of Lies and Intimidation
NewsGuard’s email is filled with false claims, twisted narratives, and a complete distortion of facts. It accuses The Eastern Herald of publishing false information, without providing any substantial evidence or context. It demands explanations for editorial decisions, as if NewsGuard has any authority to dictate how journalism should be conducted.
The email’s focus on specific articles related to Ukraine, Russia, and Indian politics is a clear indication of NewsGuard’s political bias. It’s an attempt to silence any narrative that does not conform to its leftist agenda.
NewsGuard’s Hypocrisy Exposed
NewsGuard’s actions are a glaring example of hypocrisy. While claiming to uphold the standards of fact-checking and transparency, it engages in a campaign of intimidation, lies, and manipulation.
Its email to The Eastern Herald is not an isolated incident but a systematic attempt to suppress independent voices and control the narrative. It’s a clear indication that NewsGuard is not a neutral fact-checking organization but a politically motivated entity that will stop at nothing to spread its propaganda.
A Threat to Democracy
NewsGuard’s attack on The Eastern Herald is not just an assault on journalism; it’s a threat to democracy itself. By attempting to silence independent voices, NewsGuard is undermining the very principles of free speech and free press.
Its tactics are reminiscent of authoritarian regimes that use intimidation and threats to control the media and suppress dissent. NewsGuard’s actions are a stark reminder that the fight for free speech and independent journalism is far from over.
A Call to Stand Against NewsGuard’s Tyranny
NewsGuard’s shameful assault on The Eastern Herald is a wake-up call to all who value the principles of journalism, democracy, and free speech. It’s a call to stand against NewsGuard’s tyranny and reject its attempts to control the narrative.
The Eastern Herald will not be silenced or intimidated by NewsGuard’s malicious tactics. It will continue to uphold the principles of journalism and provide unbiased and critical analysis of global events.
NewsGuard’s actions must be condemned, and its true nature exposed. It’s time to unmask NewsGuard for what it truly is: a biased, malicious, and disgraceful entity that has no place in the world of journalism.
