lovewins: 1. Again, no one is denying that she received personal attacks and they stand condemned. The point however is that the bast majority of the commentary were criticism. There was a time on this thread where Onome dominated the conversation. After she stopped appearing on the list it stopped.
2. I used Desire because she's the most recent example. She showed us how it should be done. Whether or not any other person emulates that is up to them.
1) To the best of my knowledge Onome Ebi is not on Nairaland and is not reacting to comments on Nairaland. She is reacting to comments directly against her on her social media pages. I saw those comments and her reactions.
2) Desire Oparanozie is an exception, not the norm.
I was going to write this before I saw Onome's post.
With each passing minute I am convinced that the story is completely fake.
Onome Ebi holds a record and she wrote about her dream of extending that record (as is her right). People complained and some attacked her, but I said that she has the right to dream, what matters is what the officials do and the officials actually stopped calling her up. She also stopped talking about the record and focused on her club career, yet people continue to attack her.
She has not posted about the record or playing for the Falcons in a long time, yet people continue to bash her.
Someone came up with a story and people did not bother to confirm if the story is true, they immediately started bashing her and Ordega. These people are human and there is a limit to what they can take. Randy Waldrum blocked Nigerian journalists because of things like this and he is older than the players.
Now I can bet my kidney that the story is entirely false, yet people take pleasure in insulting her, why?
lovewins: Now you're inferring things I never said. I already acknowledged that there were personal attacks and shouldn't be condone. My argument however is that those make up a small portion of the conversation. Most of what she received was criticism and those are valid.
Desire announced her resignation though, she should have taken a cue from that.
1) She recieved a lot of personal attacks and that caused her to close her comments section several times. Not everyone can deal with those attacks. Victor Osimhen's rants were not caused directly by the false articles that were written, but by insults from people who came to his social media pages to attack him. I saw the personal attacks against Onome Ebi myself. Not everybody can handle lies told about them. You saw the headline that Deltamani shared, where they wrote that she challenged Randy, did she really challenge Randy or was she challenging the rumour mongers and false articles??
2) Rita Chikwelu, Faith Ikidi, Evelyn Nwabuoku, etc have not announced their retirement from the national team. They simply stopped being picked.
The Soviet Union and her allies were in a cold war with the United States and her allies. Active Measures is a term for some of the steps that the Soviets used to try and win that war.
The Soviets used military tactics, but they were advised to use some softer measures (Active Measures). These included propaganda, creating fake or puppet organisations, assassinations and sabotage.
The Soviets had a habit of planting propaganda stories in obscure news outlets and then using that news outlet as a source, they would ensure that the propaganda spread throughout the world.
For example, the United States wanted to make friends in the developing world and one of the means of doing this was to sponsor health and vaccination campaigns. The Soviets planted stories in Indian newspapers that the vaccines were a trick to reduce the population of Africa/Asia.
They also spread stories that HIV/AIDS was created by American scientists in labs and then spread in Africa.
All these were done to discredit the United States among the population of the developing world.
A network of Russia-based websites masquerading as local American newspapers is pumping out fake stories as part of an AI-powered operation that is increasingly targeting the US election, a BBC investigation can reveal.
A former Florida police officer who relocated to Moscow is one of the key figures behind it.
It would have been a bombshell report - if it was true.
Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, allegedly bought a rare Bugatti Tourbillon sports car for 4.5m euros ($4.8m; £3.8m) while visiting Paris for D-Day commemorations in June. The source of the funds was supposedly American military aid money.
The story appeared on an obscure French website just days ago - and was swiftly debunked.
Experts pointed out strange anomalies on the invoice posted online. A whistleblower cited in the story appeared only in an oddly edited video that may have been artificially created. Bugatti issued a sharp denial, calling it "fake news", and its Paris dealership threatened legal action against the people behind the false story.
But before the truth could even get its shoes on, the lie had gone viral. Influencers had already picked up the false story and spread it widely.
One X user, the pro-Russia, pro-Donald Trump activist Jackson Hinkle, posted a link seen by more than 6.5m people. Several other accounts spread the story to millions more X users – at least 12m in total, according to the site’s metrics.
It was a fake story, on a fake news website, designed to spread widely online, with its origins in a Russia-based disinformation operation BBC Verify first revealed last year - at which point the operation appeared to be trying to undermine Ukraine’s government.
Our latest investigation, carried out over more than six months and involving the examination of hundreds of articles across dozens of websites, found that the operation has a new target - American voters.
Dozens of bogus stories tracked by the BBC appear aimed at influencing US voters and sowing distrust ahead of November’s election. Some have been roundly ignored but others have been shared by influencers and members of the US Congress.
The story of the Bugatti hit many of the top themes of the operation – Ukrainian corruption, US aid spending, and the inner workings of French high society.
Another fake which went viral earlier this year was more directly aimed at American politics.
It was published on a website called The Houston Post – one of dozens of sites with American-sounding names which are in reality run from Moscow - and alleged that the FBI illegally wiretapped Donald Trump’s Florida resort.
It played neatly into Trump’s allegations that the legal system is unfairly stacked against him, that there is a conspiracy to thwart his campaign, and that his opponents are using dirty tricks to undermine him. Mr Trump himself has accused the FBI of snooping on his conversations.
Experts say that the operation is just one part of a much larger ongoing effort, led from Moscow, to spread disinformation during the US election campaign.
While no hard evidence has emerged that these particular fake news websites are run by the Russian state, researchers say the scale and sophistication of the operation is broadly similar to previous Kremlin-backed efforts to spread disinformation in the West.
“Russia will be involved in the US 2024 election, as will others,” said Chris Krebs, who as the director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency was responsible for ensuring the integrity of the 2020 presidential election.
“We're already seeing them - from a broader information operations perspective on social media and elsewhere - enter the fray, pushing against already contentious points in US politics,” he said.
The BBC contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russia’s US and UK embassies, but received no response. We also attempted to contact Mr Hinkle for comment.
How the fakes spread
Since state-backed disinformation campaigns and money-making “fake news” operations attracted attention during the 2016 US election campaign, disinformation merchants have had to get more creative both in spreading their content and making it seem credible.
The operation investigated by BBC Verify uses artificial intelligence to generate thousands of news articles, posted to dozens of sites with names meant to sound quintessentially American – Houston Post, Chicago Crier, Boston Times, DC Weekly and others. Some use the names of real newspapers that went out of business years or decades ago.
Most of the stories on these sites are not outright fakes. Instead, they are based on real news stories from other sites apparently rewritten by artificial intelligence software.
In some instances, instructions to the AI engines were visible on the finished stories, such as: “Please rewrite this article taking a conservative stance”.
The stories are attributed to hundreds of fake journalists with made-up names and in some cases, profile pictures taken from elsewhere on the internet.
For instance, a photo of best-selling writer Judy Batalion was used on multiple stories on a website called DC Weekly, “written” by an online persona called “Jessica Devlin”.
“I was totally confused,” Ms Batalion told the BBC. “I still don't really understand what my photo was doing on this website.”
Ms Batalion said she assumed the photo had been copied and pasted from her LinkedIn profile. “I had no contact with this website,” she said. “It's made me more self-conscious about the fact that any photo of yourself online can be used by someone else.”
The sheer number of stories - thousands each week - along with their repetition across different websites, indicates that the process of posting AI-generated content is automated. Casual browsers could easily come away with the impression that the sites are thriving sources of legitimate news about politics and hot-button social issues. However, interspersed within this tsunami of content is the real meat of the operation - fake stories aimed increasingly at American audiences.
The stories often blend American and Ukrainian political issues - for instance one claimed that a worker for a Ukrainian propaganda outfit was dismayed to find that she was assigned tasks designed to knock down Donald Trump and bolster President Biden.
Another report invented a New York shopping trip made by Ukraine’s first lady, and alleged she was racist towards staff at a jewellery store.
The BBC has found that forged documents and fake YouTube videos were used to bolster both false stories.
Some of the fakes break out and get high rates of engagement on social media, said Clement Briens, senior threat intelligence analyst at cybersecurity company Recorded Future.
His company says that 120 websites were registered by the operation - which it calls CopyCop - over just three days in May. And the network is just one of a number of Russia-based disinformation operations.
Other experts - at Microsoft, Clemson University, and at Newsguard, a company that tracks misinformation sites - have also been tracking the network. Newsguard says it has counted at least 170 sites connected to the operation.
“Initially, the operation seemed small,” said McKenzie Sadeghi, Newsguard’s AI and foreign influence editor. “As each week passed it seemed to be growing significantly in terms of size and reach. People in Russia would regularly cite and boost these narratives, via Russian state TV, Kremlin officials and Kremlin influencers.
“There's about a new narrative originating from this network almost every week or two,” she said.
Making the fake appear real
To further bolster the credibility of the fake stories, operatives create YouTube videos, often featuring people who claim to be “whistleblowers” or “independent journalists”.
In some cases the videos are narrated by actors – in others it appears they are AI-generated voices.
Several of the videos appear to be shot against a similar-looking background, further suggesting a co-ordinated effort to spread fake news stories.
The videos aren’t themselves meant to go viral, and have very few views on YouTube. Instead, the videos are quoted as “sources” and cited in text stories on the fake newspaper websites.
For instance, the story about the Ukrainian information operation allegedly targeting the Trump campaign cited a YouTube video which purported to include shots from an office in Kyiv, where fake campaign posters were visible on the walls.
Links to the stories are then posted on Telegram channels and other social media accounts.
Eventually, the sensational “scoops” - which, like the Trump wiretap story and a slew of earlier stories about Ukrainian corruption, often repeat themes already popular among patriotic Russians and some supporters of Donald Trump - can reach both Russian influencers and audiences in the West.
Although only a few rise to the highest levels of prominence, some have spread to millions – and to powerful people.
A story which originated on DC Weekly, claiming that Ukrainian officials bought yachts with US military aid, was repeated by several members of Congress, including Senator J D Vance and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Mr Vance is one of a handful of politicians mentioned as a potential vice-presidential running mate for Donald Trump.
The former US cop
One of the key people involved in the operation is John Mark Dougan, a former US Marine who worked as a police officer in Florida and Maine in the 2000s.
Mr Dougan later set up a website designed to collect leaked information about his former employer, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
In a harbinger of his activities in Russia, Mr Dougan’s site published authentic information including the home addresses of police officers, alongside fake stories and rumours. The FBI raided his apartment in 2016, at which point he fled to Moscow.
He has since written books, reported from occupied parts of Ukraine and has made appearances on Russian think tank panels, at military events and on a TV station owned by Russia’s ministry of defence.
In text message conversations with the BBC, Mr Dougan has flatly denied being involved with the websites. On Tuesday, he denied any knowledge of the story about the Bugatti sports car.
But at other times he has bragged about his prowess in spreading fake news.
At one point he also implied that his activities are a form of revenge against American authorities. “For me it’s a game," he said. “And a little payback.”
At another point he said: “My YouTube channel received many strikes for misinformation” for his reporting from Ukraine, raising the prospect of his channel being taken offline.
“So if they want to say misinformation, well, let’s do it right,” he texted.
A large body of digital evidence also shows connections between the former police officer and the Russia-based websites.
The BBC and experts we consulted traced IP addresses and other digital information back to websites run by Dougan.
At one point a story on the DC Weekly site, written in response to a New York Times piece which mentioned Dougan, was attributed to “An American Citizen, the owner of these sites,” and stated: “I am the owner, an American citizen, a US military veteran, born and raised in the United States.”
The article signed off with Dougan’s email address. Shortly after we reported on Mr Dougan’s activities in a previous story, a fake version of the BBC website briefly appeared online. It was linked through digital markers to his network.
Mr Dougan is most likely not the only person working on the influence operation and who funds it remains unclear.
“I think it's important not to overplay his role in this campaign," said Darren Linvill, co-director of Clemson University’s Media Forensic Hub, which has been tracking the network. “He may be just a bit of a bit player and a useful dupe, because he's an American.”
Despite his appearances on state-run media and at government-linked think tanks, Mr Dougan denies he is being paid by the Kremlin. “I have never been paid a single dime by the Russian government,” he said via text message.
Targeting the US election
The operation that Dougan is involved in has increasingly shifted its focus from stories about the war in Ukraine to stories about American and British politics.
The false article about the FBI and the alleged wiretap at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort was one of the first stories produced by the network that was entirely about US politics, with no mention of Ukraine or Russia.
Clint Watts, who leads Microsoft’s Digital Threat Analysis Center, said that the operation often blends together issues with salience both in Ukraine and the West.
Mr Watts said that the volume of content being posted and the increasing sophistication of Russia-based efforts could potentially pose a significant problem in the run-up to November’s election.
“They're not getting mass distribution every single time,” he said, but noted that several attempts made each week could lead to false narratives taking hold in the “information ocean” of a major election campaign.
“It can have an outsized impact", and stories from the network can take off very quickly, he said. “Gone are the days of Russia purchasing ads in roubles, or having pretty obvious trolls that are sitting in a factory in St. Petersburg,” said Nina Jankowicz, head of the American Sunlight Project, a non-profit organisation attempting to combat the spread of disinformation.
Ms Jankowicz was briefly director of the short-lived US Disinformation Governance Board, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security designed to tackle false information.
“Now we're seeing a lot more information laundering,” she said - using a term referring to the recycling of fake or misleading stories into the mainstream in order to obscure their ultimate source.
Microsoft researchers also say the operation is attempting to spread stories about UK politics – with an eye on Thursday’s general election – and the Paris Olympics.
One fake story – which appeared on the website called the London Crier – claimed that Mr Zelensky bought a mansion owned by King Charles III at a bargain price.
It was seen by hundreds of thousands of users on X, and shared by an official Russian embassy account. YouTube removed an AI-narrated video posted by an obscure channel that was used as the source of the false story after it was flagged by BBC Verify.
And Mr Dougan hinted at even bigger plans when asked whether increased attention on his activities would slow the spread of his false stories. “Don’t worry,” he said, “the game is being upped.”
lovewins: I don't necessarily agree with your framing. Onome was criticized after he decision not to resign from the national team immediately after the World cup. Many people (myself inclusive) while we didn't necessarily think she made the world cup list on merit could understand her inclusion as we felt that was the right way to honour her contribution of many years to the team. It was just the best way for her to bow out.
When she however hinted on her continuing with the team many criticized. Criticisms aren't outside the borderline of acceptable speech. Of course I acknowledge a few persons directed hate towards her, it comes with the territory (social media) but the vast majority of people criticised her. When she stopped making the team it largely stopped too. It is why I asked if the article mentioned her cause I felt she's intentionally inserting herself into the conversation, that's before you drew my attention to those trolling her on social media.
So no, Onome wasn't under attack. She was criticized.
Comments about her appearance, her age (not related to football), insults, etc are not criticism, they are personal attacks and in fact, bullying.
Most Super Falcons players do not announce their resignation from the national team, they just stop being called up, so that is not an issue
lovewins: Ordega was live yesterday with David Doherty. It didn't take too long though. I think she was circumspect and just dispelled the rumour, didn't do all of the funny things Onome is doing now.
Understandable. Ebi has been under attack for a much longer period.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu just commissioned 144-unit Greater Lagos LBIC/WGC Apartments — the second housing project unveiled by the Governor today in Amuwo Odofin.
One of the two Housing projects being commissioned today by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the 10-storey Rising Lagos Apartment built and delivered in Amuwo Odofin by the Lagos State Building Investment Company (LBIC) Plc.
Both stairs and elevators. It’s built to maximum functionality
Kingofretweets @kingofretweets
Fantastic! We need to make it a norm in Lagos. It is a common thing in Cape Town. Lagos should show the true mega city features.
Aje @Riddwane
Any housing project undertaken by the Lagos State Government that is more than three floors will automatically have elevator system installed in it. Even three floors have elevators
Today, I unveiled 60 Units of two and three bedroom apartments at Rising Lagos Apartments, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and designed to enhance residents' quality of life.
Additionally, I commissioned the 144-unit mixed development project, Greater Lagos LBIC/WGC Apartments, in Amuwo Odofin, showcasing our dedication to urban renewal and sustainable development in Lagos State.
These building initiatives mark a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to address the housing needs of our citizens and promote inclusive growth throughout the state.
[quote author=God1000 post=130386332][/quote]There have been many threads about Nigerian special forces on Nairaland. There have been pictures and videos of Nigerian Navy SBS commandos training with US marines, etc
DMerciful: You seem to be glorifying arbitrary arrest. A noble thing would have been to charge him to court within 48hrs so the court interpret what crime was committed
JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH!
OK, please show me where I glorified arbitrary arrest. Quote my statements that glorified arbitrary arrests.
naptu2: It's actually business. That's all it is, crazy business.
A phenomenom swept YouTube in the late 2000s. A lot of young people in America discovered that they could make a lot of money by shooting pranks and uploading them to their YouTube channels. These prank videos gained millions of views and since YouTube paid advertising revenue to people that had lots of views, these people made a lot of money.
Many of these pranks were extremely dangerous and reckless. Some of these pranksters were actually arrested by the police. One of the most notorious pranksters was a guy called Charles Ross. He was arrested many times and repeatedly ordered by judges to stop creating prank videos on YouTube.
What this person did is one of the most famous pranks of that era. The prankster would fill a clean bottle of bleach or cleaning fluid with water or soft drink and then go to a public place to drink it while filming the reaction of people around the area.
Some other famous pranks include:
Pretending to shoot people.
Pretending to be a prisoner
Pretebding to be a ghost, spirit, zombie or some other scary character
Dressing up dogs to look like lions or tigers.
Pranking people in drive throughs.
Etc.
YouTube recently took action against some of the pranksters by making it difficult for them to make money from their dangerous videos.
The pranking wave has now hit Nigeria. Nigerians are increasingly making these prank videos and a person that goes by the name Crackhead Extra has recently become famous by posting videos that show her going to crowded markets and bus stops and shouting the lyrics of famous songs while acting like a mad person.
This guy was one of the most famous pranksters at the peak of the pranking wave in 2010. His name is Garrett Garcia and the name of his channel is Overboard Humour. He made a lot of money from YouTube back then, but he wasted a lot of it and he was badly hit by the YouTube crackdown (his girlfriend also left him). He is now broke and homeless.
Garrett did the prank in this 2011 video. He went to a supermarket, bought cleaning fluid, switched it with another bottle that he brought from home and then pretended to be drinking the cleaning fluid. (He had already planted the bottle and the camera at that spot before calling the store attendant).
Sports › Re: Nigeria Female National Teams' Thread by naptu2: 3:28am On Jul 03, 2024
