Russian propaganda often utilizes fake newspaper and magazine covers to spread misinformation and destabilize support for certain causes. One recent example of this tactic is a fake version of the front cover from the French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo, which is circulating on social media. The fake cover depicts Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with French President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump also featured. The image is shared with captions mocking Zelenskyy and his efforts to defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. However, it has been confirmed that the front cover is fake and is part of Russia’s propaganda campaign against Ukraine, utilizing Charlie Hebdo’s art style.
The fake Charlie Hebdo cover is being shared by pro-Russian accounts and media outlets in an attempt to diminish support for Ukraine. This is not the first time that Russian propaganda has used false newspaper and magazine front covers to spread disinformation. Earlier this year, it was revealed that pro-Russian actors bombarded journalists with fake news to spread misinformation and amplify the reach of disinformation. Fake Euronews reports were used as part of the disinformation campaign, known as “Operation Overload.” The use of fake newspaper and magazine covers is a common tactic in Russian propaganda to sow discord and confusion.
The fake Charlie Hebdo cover featuring Zelenskyy as Quasimodo, Macron, and Trump is easily debunked as fake because it does not appear on the magazine’s website. Charlis Hebdo confirmed that the image was not theirs, and a search for issue 1690 (mentioned on the fake cover) on their website reveals a completely different cover mocking Bashar al-Assad, Vladimir Putin, and Iran’s Supreme Leader. This cover has no connection to Zelenskyy, depicting caricatures of the three leaders as the Three Wise Men from the Christmas nativity story.
The fake Charlie Hebdo cover falsely claims that the issue was published on Monday 9 December, which is inaccurate as Charlie Hebdo publishes its issues on Wednesdays. The fake cover attempts to create confusion and spread false narratives about Zelenskyy and the situation in Ukraine. It is crucial to remain vigilant and fact-check information before sharing it on social media to combat the spread of misinformation and propaganda. By being aware of these tactics, we can better protect ourselves and others from falling victim to disinformation campaigns.
