Information wars: The digital mafia weaponising online news

In a world increasingly dominated by digital media, a new form of warfare has emerged – the digital mafia weaponizing online news. This insidious phenomenon, known as "pink slime," involves hostile factions running smear campaigns for profit, leaving victims with nowhere to turn. To shed light on this clandestine operation, journalist Steve Dinneen delves into the dark world of "pink slime," uncovering the tactics employed by these clandestine networks.

Pink slime, also known by various names such as yellow-press, mushroom sites, and junk news, is a sophisticated, for-profit disinformation network that has infiltrated multiple websites and jurisdictions. Operating under the moniker "2Trom," this clandestine group has orchestrated attacks spanning hundreds of stories daily, targeting victims in countries ranging from Kyiv to Leeds, Soho to Islamabad.

One such victim, Giles, a founder of a boutique investment firm, recounts his three-year ordeal with a pink slime campaign. The attack began with a major British newspaper's story featuring a personal attack on Giles, despite his firm's minority stake in the company. Subsequently, tweets, emails, and articles appeared, all insinuating that Giles supported Russia and was an enemy of Ukraine.

Despite Giles vehemently denying these allegations, the campaign persisted, leading to over 20 articles about him in various countries.

Giles' experience highlights the alarming ease with which these digital mafias can manipulate public opinion through orchestrated attacks across multiple platforms. The anonymity and lack of accountability afforded by the digital realm make it an ideal breeding ground for such nefarious activities. As the investigation into these clandestine networks continues, the consequences of "pink slime" campaigns on victims' reputations, businesses, and even legal standing become ever more apparent.