Ben Swann, a self-described independent journalist who promotes conspiracy theories, owns a company that’s been paid millions of dollars in recent years by Russian state media.

The Kremlin could not have asked for better publicity at a better time when Ben Swann, a self-described independent journalist who promotes conspiracy theories, released a 12-part video series he promised would reveal dark truths about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Swann’s flashy documentary-style videos were filled with innuendo, attacks on Zelenskyy’s character and commentary from guests sympathetic to Russia in its two-year war with Ukraine.

The series, titled “Zelenskyy Unmasked,” launched in April as Congress was debating increasing military assistance to Ukraine, and it quickly caught the attention of conservative social media influencers who hyped the project to their millions of followers.

Among those who promoted the series was Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son.

  • @rustyfishEnglish
    24•1 month ago

    Can I get into trouble for calling myself an “investigative journalist”? Like, can I stand in front of the camera and say the dumbest, factually most incorrect shit, like these vatnik bitches and still call myself that, even I didn’t learn that job somewhere? Is there any kind of legal trouble I have to expect as long as I don’t go full Alex Jones?

    • @NOT_RICKEnglish
      20•1 month ago

      You can’t get into trouble if you do it for free, but you may get in trouble if you take money from the Kremlin. I’m really sad to have to use the word may and not a definite.