cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/8843465
Chinese-linked fake news websites exposed more than two years ago as tools of Beijing's overseas influence operations remain active in Japan, the Sankei Shimbun learned on May 1.
The 15 sites, which pose as legitimate news outlets, are believed to be aimed at manipulating public opinion by spreading information mixed with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.
Experts warn that their content could eventually be cited by generative artificial intelligence.
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Made to Look Local
"The Fujiyama Times," "Nikko News," "Sendai Shimbun," "Fukuoka Express," "Tokushima Online"—websites bearing names that resemble Japanese local media outlets were still publishing articles on Japan, the US, Russia, South Korea, and sports.
They are among 123 Chinese-linked fake news sites listed in a February 2024 report by The Citizen Lab, based at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. South Korea had the largest number of such sites, with 17, followed by Japan and Russia, each with 15.
Most of the articles identified in Japan are written in Japanese, but many contain conspicuously unnatural wording. It's also common for multiple sites to carry the same article.
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The Citizen Lab dubbed the Chinese operation "Paperwall."
"A network of at least 123 websites operated from within the People's Republic of China while posing as local news outlets in 30 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, disseminates pro-Beijing disinformation and ad hominem attacks within much larger volumes of commercial press releases," its report said.
The report further stated that a public relations company in Shenzhen was involved, noting that the case highlights the important role of private companies in digital influence operations and Beijing's tendency to utilize such firms.
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But why are these fake sites still publishing content more than two years after their existence was exposed?
"There have been cases overseas where generative AI learns from articles on fake websites and produces answers for users based on biased views or false information," said Ryohei Suzuki, a specially appointed assistant professor at Hitotsubashi University who studies disinformation and influence operations.
He added, "The continued publication of articles as part of the Paperwall operation may also be aimed at manipulating information through generative AI."