Both SYRIZA and the new Left raise specific questions about those who refer to the report and call on government and ND to answer whether public money has been spent on the company.
SYRIZA’s announcement
In particular, in its announcement, SYRIZA, among other things, argues that Inside Story “brings to light the dark funding network of the New Democracy and Maximus Propaganda machine, focusing on Blue Skies, owned by Thomas Varvitsiotis and Yiannis Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to documented research, Blue Skies has been employing since 2018 the key executives of the infamous “Truth Group”, the ND’s informal but crucial online propaganda unit.
A group specializing in attacks on journalists, political opponents and even congenital victims of national tragedies, using misinformation, false news and anonymous trolls on social media, that is, organized “murder of characters”.
At the same time, it is revealed that former Maximus Grand employees and employees in the communication of the New Democracy are being paid by the same company, an element that raises serious questions of interpretation and opacity. “
SYRIZA is asking for answers:
– What is Blue Skies’ relationship with Maximus and the New Democracy party?
– How much money from public resources have been allocated to this digital manipulation of public opinion?
– What contracts has the State made with the companies of those involved? “
The new left
The new left, at the same wavelength, talks about the revelation of funders and mechanisms “behind the slander, character murder and fake news center, operating under the auspices of the government camp.”
Elsewhere in the announcement he states: “Behind the reorganized Kyriakos Mitsotakis” Truth Group “, there are no” pure volunteers “. There are companies, public assignments and funding from powerful factors. Money flows to trolls, ND executives and Maximus Grand, in a public opinion manipulation by state and private means.
The “Truth Group” itself, with even access to ELAS material. – Like the Live Police Drone in New Smyrna’s demonstrations in 2021 – is essentially a modern form of states. “
The new Left concludes by asking the questions: “The New Democracy owes immediate answers: Mr. Romanos, an old acquaintance of the Prime Minister’s Truth and current associate, will explain explanations? Will they tell us though how much public money has been made available for the operation of the propaganda mechanism? Has Mr. Varvitsiotis’ Blue Skies company have the key executives of the truth? “
The reaction of the truth group
The Truth Group reacted to the report (it is noted that the Inside Story is a subscription site), with a post on X, in which it states:
Awesome journalistic revelation by Inside Story. As we have mentioned in our podcasts, we work in the private sector and maintain a communication company. We do not have positions in the State, nor do we work in ministers’ offices, and above all, the company we have founded has not received a single euro from the State. We are used to attacks, because we know well that we are annoying with our revelations. Let them be sure that this time they will stop us either.
We have been well aware of their methods for years. The truth team that has completely changed the political landscape in the country in 2015 will not inhibit its operation no matter how much some want it. Either out or inside.
The truth team became what everyone knows because we have experienced mud, toxicity and lie, in times of difficult times for their homeland and faction. We will continue to be at the forefront. And for the homeland and for the lineup.
PS. What we have to say all these years we say publicly with our faces. Our morality is well known and that is why we were not afraid to reveal to ourselves who we are, through the show of the Truth Group. So in vain some people are trying to engage us today with practices, such as attacks on parents of Tempi victims. We are not, nor will we become the same as those who disperse fake news and poison the country’s political life for so many years.
We will win you again.