Report states UK privately paid YouTube influencers for propaganda
(MENAFN) The UK Foreign Office secretly paid millions of pounds to a media contractor to influence public opinion abroad, according to a report by Declassified UK. The London-based firm, Zinc Network, reportedly received close to £10 million ($13 million) to recruit influencers across Europe.
Zinc hires YouTubers and online personalities in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics to produce political content aligning with British interests. While the company claims to operate transparently, influencers are required to sign strict non-disclosure agreements preventing them from revealing their links to the UK government.
Former employees have described the project as “state propaganda,” with one source calling Zinc’s treatment of influencers “highly exploitative.” Another whistleblower alleged the company interfered in Slovakia’s 2023 elections by pushing influencer content to encourage youth turnout for the pro-EU Progressive Slovakia party. Ultimately, the election was won by the Smer party, led by Robert Fico, which advocates closer ties with Russia and enjoys backing from older voters.
Previously, Zinc was exposed for running covert Muslim news platforms. In 2021, it reportedly sought to recruit comedians and YouTubers to carry out psychological operations in the Baltics aimed at influencing Russian-speaking communities.
Besides British funding, Zinc has also received millions from the US and Belgian governments. The extent of its activities remains murky, as the Foreign Office has only partially released details of its contracts with the firm, despite repeated orders from the UK’s Information Commissioner.
The UK government defends such programs as efforts to “counter disinformation” and promote “truth and democratic values.” Meanwhile, Russia has accused British institutions like the British Council and the Oxford Russia Fund of conducting covert operations to undermine Russian society and advance Western agendas.
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