The Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro reported as one of the First about pro-Russian trolls – and was thus a target himself. A court has sentenced the trolls now.
Jessikka Aro
As a journalist in Finland Jessikka had, and Aro not dreaming that they would be treated with hostility because of their work, once so brutally. Finally, Finland is on the ranking of freedom of the press. Then, in 2014, she worked for the public broadcaster Yleisradio and wanted to learn more about how Russian Propaganda in Finland is widespread, especially in the social networks. “I thought, this is a new phenomenon that is dangerous for freedom of expression in Finland,” said Aro of the DW. “I wanted to look into this and find out how much influence the pro-Russian trolls at all. I was amazed that they actually have much – very much.”
The journalist published the results of her research, went to St. Petersburg and spoke with employees of a so-called “Troll factory” – i.e. people who are paid to provide Russia critical articles and Statements on the Internet with hate comments and spread untrue stories.
However, by drilling more, advanced, Aro themselves in the focus of the trolls. From now on, she was in the social networks of a hunted. Your health record was released and with an image-editing program created degrading images appeared. Aro was insulted in every possible way, and as a “NATO agent” labeled. Nothing, what did the journalist, escaped to the trolls: After a holiday in Thailand, she noted that photos released of her on the trip and with bad comments.
Threats offline
After a short time Aro was not pursued only in the Internet, they also received calls. They once heard how an anonymous caller had fired a shot. Another Time, she received a text message, whose sender was supposedly her father – although this is already since more than twenty years dead.
“I was hoping that everything would eventually just stop, but instead it was getting worse and worse. Even people I thought were friends, started this things to like and to comment. I realized that the Trolls were able to move a lot,” said Aro.
Particularly shocked them was the amount of death threats. One of them was, according to the journalist, even of someone you knew, and you indicated then in the police. However, at times there had been so many death threats against them that the police could not follow from the lack of Capacity of all, even if they listened to seriously.
Watch the Video 03:07 live Now 03:07 Min. 
Share
Russia’s “Troll Factory”
Send Facebook Twitter google+ Tumblr VZ Mr. Wong Xing Newsvine Digg
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2swKZ
Whistleblower reported on the Russian “Troll factory”
Aro not to be beaten
Regardless of the high personal tribute that you paid, not loose let Aro and reported further on the topic. That landed her in the 2015, the major Finnish prize of the journalists, “Bonnierin journalisti palkinto”. They also decided that it was not enough, the practices of the pro-Russian trolls only to be disclosed. She wanted to strike back, including Johan Backman, acting for years as the voice of Russia and on its Facebook page read is that he represents the “Donetsk separatist movement”. And also against Ilya Janitskin, the founder and operator of the pro-Russian Website MV-Lehti, she wanted to proceed.
Both men would have pursued both online as well as offline, said Aro. She has sued for Stalking, slander, and incitement to slander. Aro and her lawyer have met in a prison for the men, as well as a severance payment is required. The charges were upheld, Janitskin also received a prison sentence, and the applicant must be compensated with EUR 136,000.
“Lawmakers must finally follow suit”
Ben Nimmo is a senior scientist in the laboratory for digital forensics by the American think-tank Atlantic Council. He explains: “These trolls are bad for journalists. The derangement of Online bullying, the Jessikka Aro to the victim fell. The campaign against them was brutal and served the goal to destroy your career and your mental health.”
Nimmo, according to regulations and the Monitoring of harassment in the digital world are not able to keep up to date with the propagandists step. “In the light of this Case, it is possible that the legislature follow suit,” hopes for Nimmo, so far, the trolls would operate in a largely lawless space. “Women Aro was one of the first to be reported in 2015 on the Russian “Troll factory”. Since it would fit if your case also marks the Moment that a more effective fight against the trolls.”
The journalist uses the Internet, they have so many threats, in spite of everything, continue to be in your favor. With a Crowdfunding campaign, you could collect the equivalent of more than 26,000 euros for an investigative book, scheduled for release in February 2019: It bears the title “Vladimir Putin’s Troll-Empire”.