A Ukrainian publication with an editor-in-chief with ties to the US State Department has included dozens of US politicians, activists and media outlets, including Blaze Media, on its list of people who have allegedly shared “Russian disinformation” or made “anti-Ukrainian statements.”
On Thursday, Texty.org described itself as an “independent media outlet” that blends a “data journalism project” with “traditional journalistic genres,” according to its website. Website — Publication article The report, titled “Roller Coaster: From Trump Supporters to Communists: US Forces and Methods Blocking Aid to Ukraine,” lists more than 75 individuals and nearly 400 organizations that have opposed aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Such claims are “wishful thinking” and do not fit “the reality of the world.”
Blaze Media is listed on page 34 of the 47-page list. All of the “anti-Ukrainian” Blaze Media links on the list are from 2023. There is one Blaze News article: Tweet — One of them is Tucker CarlsonIt also appears on the Texty.org list , and three segments with Glenn Beck, co-founder of Blaze Media.
Screenshot of article list on Texty.org
The Texty.org article clearly assumes that Ukraine is entitled to US financial assistance in its operations against Russia, arguing that “Ukrainian victory is essential for the democratic world.” It also appears to blame Congress for delaying approval of the aid by just four months, leading to “rising Ukrainian military casualties and a gradual withdrawal of Ukrainian troops.” It also blasts 10 Republican members of Congress for simply calling for a “stricter audit” of Ukraine’s funding package.
Texty.org said it could not establish “direct and proven links” between most of the individuals and media on its list and the Russian government or known Russian “propagandists.” Instead, it said it had gathered evidence that these individuals and media were spreading “Russian disinformation” by repeating “key messages of Russian propaganda” in arguments against further aid to Ukraine. It further claimed that the others were simply “useful idiots.”
of Ron Paul Institute RPI countered that the Texty.org article also contained “crude disinformation” and that “allegations of Nazi rule and US bio-labs in Ukraine” were “myths long ago debunked.” Such claims, RPI argued, were “wishful thinking” and did not fit “global realities.”
Even Texty.org’s understanding of American politics and the identities of its supposed opponents is questionable in nature. For example, the article includes Blake Masters among “influential Republicans known for blocking aid to Ukraine.” However, Masters did not win the 2022 election for his Arizona seat in the U.S. Senate, and run for parliament As a Republican, he currently has no meaningful influence over American foreign policy, and he certainly cannot “block” it.[] Aid to Ukraine.”
meanwhile, Anatoly BondarenkoThe co-founder of Texty.org has influenced, or been influenced by, the federal government. Tech CampBondarenko is a “public diplomacy program” established by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Return, the technology division of Blaze Media, has asked Texty.org to clarify Bondarenko’s ties to the State Department. So far, Texty.org has not responded.
“The Glenn Beck The “Program” host claimed on X that Tech Camp is linked to color revolutions around the world. “So, we’re on the list. If you’ve been watching our show for the past few years, you’ve probably heard a lot about the use of a State Department initiative called Tech Camp, and more specifically, how color revolutions usually follow them around the world,” he posted on X on Sunday.
“Isn’t it interesting that this organization has ties to the State Department and the USAID and that its founder was part of Tech Camp? And it’s even more interesting that we ended up on this list after talking about this tactic and how it’s being used in color revolutions? Maybe I’m the only one who thinks that,” Buttrill continued.
The Texty.org article also identifies left-leaning individuals and media outlets with pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine positions, such as Ben & Jerry’s Ben Cohen and the anti-war group CODEPINK. The article criticizes a group of Democratic lawmakers known as “The Squad,” but ultimately acknowledges that all eight members of “The Squad” voted in favor of the April 2024 Ukraine funding bill.
After the article received strong backlash on social media, Texty.org added a statement to the article, claiming that it does not create “enemies” or “kill” lists. The statement further asserted:
These data were collected and published solely to provide evidence supporting the points presented in the article. The article itself is not an accusation, but a study of the political and media background influencing the government’s decision on further support for Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The editorial team of Texty.org.ua does not deny, condemn or contest the right of American citizens, media or institutions to express opinions or hold political beliefs.
We value and respect freedom of speech, which is essential to a democratic society.
The Blaze News reached out to Texty.org for further clarification about Blaze Media’s inclusion on the “Russian disinformation” list. In an email to The Blaze News, Inna Gadzinska, deputy editor at Texty.org, said one clip from “The Glenn Beck Program” contains “false and manipulative” information that suggests Ukraine’s war against Russia may have been planned in 2016 or 2017, several years before fighting erupted in 2022.
“Ukraine had no plans to attack Russia in 2017 or 2022,” Gadzinska wrote, adding that “the idea that the United States would support such a plan is simply absurd.”
She also argued that the Blaze News articles share a “common narrative of Russian propaganda.”
Finally, Gadzinska mentions Anatoly Bondarenko, editor-in-chief of Texty.org: “About Anatoly Bondarenko’s participation in the event held with the support of USAID: he was invited as a trainer on data journalism for members of non-governmental organizations and library staff, teaching them how to create new media. He also founded and promoted the site Texty.org.ua himself.”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include a quote from Inna Gadzynska, deputy editor at Texty.org.
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