
In 2023, as in previous years, over half of the allocated mass media budget was directed to three key propaganda agencies.
- 51% of the funds went to the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), RT (formerly Russia Today), and Rossiya Segodnya, notes co-author of the analysis, Aleksandra Michałowska-Kubś.

VGTRK, a media holding targeting primarily Russian audiences, is set to receive 25.8 billion RUB this year. It operates a network of federal and regional television channels, with programs also available online. However, television popularity in Russia has recently declined - between February and July 2022, the audience for Channel One, Russia-1, and NTV dropped by a quarter. Furthermore, since the war in Ukraine began, VGTRK lost several key foreign sponsors as companies advertising on its channels exited the Russian market. The agency has also been impacted by Western sanctions.
- It seems, however, that 25.8 billion RUB is sufficient to broadcast propaganda domestically and expand media operations in the occupied territories of Ukraine. It was announced that VGTRK is opening branches in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, notes Michałowska-Kubś.
Meanwhile, RT, the main pillar of the Kremlin’s international information influence, has seen a slight funding decrease. In 2023, it was allocated 26.3 billion RUB. Sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine have led the agency to cease broadcasting in the EU, Canada, the US, and the UK and to close selected offices. However, RT has found ways to expand its operations, including entering the Serbian market. RT Balkan plans to start broadcasting no later than 2024. The agency is also strengthening its presence in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Interestingly, another entity funded by the budget has received significant generosity from Russian authorities. In 2023, Zvezda, a media network run by the Russian Ministry of Defense, nearly doubled its funding to 3.5 billion RUB.

- This year`s analysis confirms that propaganda is a key pillar of the regime and one of the Kremlin`s main tools of power. Legal changes threatening up to 15 years in prison for spreading "false information" about the so-called "special military operation" and the elimination of remaining independent media further emphasize that Russian authorities treat information as a weapon - not only against their own citizens. It’s important to remember that for Russia, the information space has always been a battleground, conclude analysts from the think tank Debunk.org.
Debunk.org is an independent tech-focused think tank and NGO specializing in analyzing disinformation and running educational media campaigns across eight countries. It has been countering disinformation since 2017. Link to the full article: https://www.debunk.org/pl/w-zeszłym-roku-propaganda-kosztowała-kreml-1-9-mld-usd-budżet-na-media-został-przekroczony-o-25
SWAMPED and ZASŁONA: Russian Disinformation Techniques
The EU’s East StratCom Task Force, dedicated to identifying disinformation originating outside the EU, published a list on the EUvsDisinfo portal outlining the methods the Kremlin and its agencies use to spread disinformation globally, including in Poland.
The set of disinformation and propaganda techniques is summarized under the acronym SWAMPED:
- S for Straw Man:
Attributing statements or opinions to a person or institution that were never expressed, then mocking, undermining, or attacking those views. - W for Whataboutism:
Creating the illusion of hypocrisy on the opposing side by deflecting accusations with arguments that "you/they did or do something similar." - A for Attack:
Spreading information, often false, aimed at discrediting or compromising the opponent. - M for Mockery:
Ridiculing or mocking the other side, often using out-of-context, exaggerated, or manipulated information. - P for Provocations:
Undermining opinions and beliefs using false but widely distributed claims to sow doubt and distrust. - E for Exhaust:
Distracting from the core issue by overwhelming the opponent with both authentic and fabricated data, statistics, and comparisons. - D for Denial:
A defensive method involving denial of evidence, disclaiming responsibility, and suggesting accusations stem from bias or prejudice.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Cyberviolence and hate disguised as a joke. The RAYUELA report on youth
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The study conducted in five countries reveals a harsh truth. Online violence is not evenly distributed. It is a digital map of prejudice that hurts the most those who stand out the most. "It’s just a joke." That’s how violence often begins. Young people go through it in silence.
Trust in social media. Youtube beats TikTok and X
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Do we really trust social media? A new study reveals major differences in how top platforms are rated. Trust goes where there's authenticity, not just algorithms. The role of people is growing while brand influence is fading.
Artificial intelligence in newsrooms. Three realities of the AI era in media
Krzysztof Fiedorek
According to a report by the European Broadcasting Union, many newsrooms already use AI but still do not fully trust it. Audiences do not want "robotic" news, and the technologies themselves though fast can be costly, unreliable, and surprisingly human in their mistakes.
See articles on a similar topic:
Milgram Experiment 2023. AI Can Encourage Violence
KrzysztoF
Researchers from SWPS University replicated the famous Milgram experiment, in which participants were instructed to inflict pain on another person under the authority’s command. This time, the authority was a robot. It’s the first study showing that people are willing to harm another person when a robot commands them to do so.
Online News Portal Readers in Poland. Loyalty Analysis
Bartłomiej Dwornik
Among news portals, Onet has the highest number of users. However, in terms of reader loyalty, it falls behind Wirtualna Polska. When looking specifically at news readers, Gazeta takes the lead, though it ranks poorly in Google search positioning.
Gen Z Will Force Brands to Tell the Truth. GWI Report and Forecasts
Krzysztof Fiedorek
They value authenticity and brand transparency, preferring socially engaged companies. Young people see technology as a tool for growth, not just entertainment. In relationships, they prioritize genuine connections despite being highly active online. What do we know about Gen Z, and what does this mean for marketing? And beyond.
Women in media 2025. Editorial power knows no equality
KFi
Only 27% of editors-in-chief in the media are women, even though they make up 40% of journalists. In 9 out of 12 countries studied by the Reuters Institute, women in media are less likely to get promoted. It seems that equality in newsrooms is lagging behind broader society. And the gaps go much further.