9/24/21, 8:06 PM Radio Free Myanmar: Disinformation network spreads false news and hate speech | Frontier Myanmar ISSUES SIGN UP NOW The WordPress page for Radio Free Myanmar, which mimics the name and logo of US-based media outlet Radio Free Asia. (Frontier) Radio Free Myanmar: Disinformation network spreads false news and hate speech OCTOBER 9, 2020    A Frontier investigation has uncovered a network of Facebook accounts sharing disinformation attributed to “Radio Free Myanmar”, with a spike of activity targeting the ruling party and Rohingya Muslims during the lead-up to November’s election. By BANYAR KYAW, PHONE HTET NAUNG, ALEX BEATSON and ANDREW NACHEMSON | FRONTIER It looks like Radio Free Asia, sounds like Radio Free Asia and even purports to be from the same country as Radio Free Asia. But anything beyond a cursory glance reveals that Radio Free Myanmar is nothing like the United States-based media outlet that was such an important ally of Myanmar’s prodemocracy movement. Rather than a reputable news organisation, RFM is spreading disinformation – usually about the ruling National League for Democracy and Rohingya Muslims – that is almost certainly aimed at influencing Myanmar’s November 8 election. Although RFM emerged in late 2019, the amount of RFM content surged in August and September as the election drew closer. The vast majority of RFM content is disinformation. Frontier’s investigation into RFM over the past two months has uncovered a network of linked Facebook accounts and pages that are being used to spread RFM misinformation through the social media platform. The users have been reported to Facebook, which is conducting its own investigation as a result of Frontier’s work and has locked their accounts until they verify their identity. https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/radio-free-myanmar-disinformation-network-spreads-false-news-and-hate-speech/ 1/9