London/Moscow (CNN Business) Russian state media and pro-Kremlin outlets are waging a disinformation campaign about the coronavirus pandemic to sow "panic and fear" in the West, EU officials have warned in a report seen by CNN. The European Union's External Action Service, which researches and combats disinformation online, said in an internal report that since January 22 it had recorded nearly 80 cases of disinformation about the Covid-19 outbreak linked to pro-Kremlin media. The report, dated March 16th, said that the campaign is "designed to exacerbate confusion, panic, and fear." The report outlines how pro-Kremlin media have been working to amplify an array of often contradictory narratives which "hijack" the information space in order to diminish Europe's ability to act in its self-interest. JUST WATCHED Coronavirus fact-check: Separating fear from fact Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Coronavirus fact-check: Separating fear from fact 03:16Read More

Source: CNN March 18, 2020 15:24 UTC