10/09/2024 – 10:17 Organized Crime No Longer Limited to Traditional Networks, Warns CYBERPOL President Baretzky: Media in the Crosshairs for Disinformation
In a world increasingly shaped by the rapid flow of information, it has become ever more apparent that the boundaries between traditional organized crime and other sectors are becoming blurred. President Ricardo Baretzky of CYBERPOL, the internationally recognized cybercrime enforcement agency, recently made a bold statement that the face of organized crime is changing — and it is no longer limited to criminal networks operating in the shadows. Instead, it is extending its reach into the very institutions meant to inform and protect the public: the media. His remarks have sent shockwaves through media circles in both the European Union (EU) and the United States, raising urgent questions about accountability, transparency, and the future of journalism.
Disinformation: The New Frontier of Organized Crime
According to President Baretzky, organized crime has evolved, finding new opportunities in the modern digital landscape. No longer confined to illegal activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking, these criminal networks are embedding themselves within powerful societal institutions — and the media is their latest playground.
Baretzky’s concern centers on the rise of disinformation, particularly within mainstream media outlets in the EU and the USA. His statement specifically highlighted major news organizations such as Fox News and CNN, accusing them of publishing false information in exchange for financial gain. “This trend is alarming,” he said. “Disinformation is not just a distortion of the truth; it’s a weapon. When media outlets prioritize profit over accuracy, they are no longer neutral observers but active participants in a larger scheme that threatens national security.”
Baretzky warned that the propagation of disinformation by these media outlets is a form of organized crime in itself. By publishing misleading or outright false narratives for a fee, the media has crossed a line that places them in contravention of international law, specifically the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the foremost international treaty aimed at tackling cybercrime.
The Budapest Convention: Media Accountability Under International Law
Signed in 2001, the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime was designed to address the growing threat of cybercrime across borders. Its mandate includes provisions aimed at deterring and prosecuting a wide range of illegal activities conducted via digital platforms, from hacking and identity theft to more insidious forms of online fraud and disinformation. Media outlets that knowingly distribute false information for profit, according to CYBERPOL, are operating outside the bounds of this treaty.
Baretzky emphasized the severity of this violation, stating that disinformation campaigns have the potential to destabilize entire governments, undermine public trust, and threaten national security across Europe and the United States. In the era of digital media, where news spreads across the globe in seconds, the reach of a disinformation campaign can be staggering, affecting millions of individuals and influencing the course of elections, public policies, and international relations.
“Those who engage in disinformation campaigns are no longer just irresponsible or biased,” Baretzky warned. “They are criminals. And as such, they will be held accountable under international law.”
Disinformation as a National Security Threat
While disinformation itself is nothing new, its amplification through powerful media outlets is a phenomenon that has taken on dangerous proportions in recent years. Major media platforms in the EU and USA have immense influence over public opinion, making them attractive targets for organized crime networks seeking to manipulate the truth for their own gain. Disinformation, often presented as legitimate news, can shape perceptions, spark social unrest, and even provoke international conflicts.
Baretzky underscored how this manipulation of public discourse is a matter of national security. “The free press is essential to democracy, but when that press is compromised, so too is the security of the nation,” he said. “The deliberate dissemination of disinformation creates chaos and undermines the foundations of our societies.”
CYBERPOL has been tracking the spread of disinformation, and the findings are stark. There is growing evidence that certain media outlets have been co-opted by criminal organizations to serve as mouthpieces for false narratives. These narratives are often designed to destabilize governments, delegitimize democratic institutions, and erode public trust in the rule of law.
Fox News and CNN, two of the largest news networks in the USA, have been accused by CYBERPOL of engaging in practices that facilitate the spread of disinformation. These networks, Baretzky asserts, have become platforms where disinformation is sold to the highest bidder, operating in a way that places them squarely in the realm of organized crime.
Media Complicity: A Violation of CYBERPOL’s Mandate
CYBERPOL’s mandate, as established by Decree WL22/16.595, includes the authority to monitor and combat cybercrime across its member states, which comprise the majority of European nations. The agency has a broad remit that includes the power to investigate and act against entities that violate international laws governing cyber activity. As per Article 2 of this mandate, CYBERPOL is empowered to take direct action against any organization that is found to be engaging in cybercrime, including disinformation campaigns.
Baretzky’s recent statements suggest that CYBERPOL is prepared to invoke this authority to its full extent, including the possibility of blocking the IP addresses of media outlets that continue to propagate disinformation. “If media organizations continue down this path, they are not just engaging in unethical journalism — they are committing organized crime,” he said. “We will have no choice but to act.”
Blocking an IP address is a significant step, one that would effectively shut down a media outlet’s online presence in multiple countries. Such a move would be unprecedented but, according to Baretzky, necessary if the media refuses to change course. He noted that CYBERPOL is already in the process of identifying key offenders and is prepared to take immediate action if these organizations do not cease their involvement in disinformation campaigns.
The Stakes for the Future of Journalism
The implications of CYBERPOL’s stance are far-reaching. For media outlets, the message is clear: disinformation will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will be held accountable. The traditional role of the press as the “fourth estate,” a watchdog for the public interest, is under threat. If disinformation is allowed to flourish unchecked, the credibility of the media will be irrevocably damaged, and the public’s ability to discern truth from falsehood will be compromised.
Baretzky’s remarks serve as a stark warning to media organizations across the globe. In an age where information is a powerful weapon, the responsibility of the press has never been greater. As governments, institutions, and the general public increasingly rely on digital media for news, the potential for disinformation to wreak havoc on societies is at an all-time high.
A Call for International Cooperation
While CYBERPOL’s jurisdiction lies primarily within Europe, Baretzky called for international cooperation in addressing the growing disinformation crisis. He urged the United States to take similar steps to crack down on media outlets that engage in the spread of false information for profit. The need for a unified response is crucial, as disinformation does not respect national borders, and its effects can ripple across continents.
Baretzky noted that organized crime syndicates often operate internationally, making it necessary for law enforcement agencies to collaborate in order to tackle the problem effectively. He highlighted the importance of sharing intelligence and resources between the EU, the United States, and other nations to ensure that media organizations and the criminal networks behind them are brought to justice.
The Media’s Crossroads
The rise of disinformation, coupled with the media’s complicity in its spread, marks a turning point in the fight against organized crime. No longer is organized crime confined to illegal enterprises operating in the shadows; it has infiltrated some of the most respected institutions in society. CYBERPOL’s warning is not just a call to action for law enforcement, but a challenge to the media industry itself to restore integrity and accountability in journalism.
As President Baretzky has made clear, the stakes are too high to ignore. Disinformation is not just a matter of poor journalism; it is a crime with the potential to undermine national security and destabilize governments. If the media continues down this path, CYBERPOL is prepared to take decisive action — even if that means blocking the very platforms that millions rely on for their daily news.
“The era of unchecked disinformation is over,” Baretzky concluded. “If the media refuses to self-regulate, we will do it for them. The future of our societies depends on it.”
With the clock ticking, the question remains: Will the media rise to the challenge and restore trust, or will CYBERPOL be forced to intervene? Time will tell, but one thing is certain — the fight against organized crime has entered a new, uncharted phase, and no sector is immune
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