A Canadian right-wing commentator who produced videos for a media outlet now accused of pushing Russian propaganda says she was never influenced to produce content for the embattled company.
Lauren Southern, a well-known personality in conservative circles, testified Thursday before the House of Commons public safety and national security committee in the wake of a U.S. indictment linking Tenet Media to the foreign influence operation.
“I’m not being influenced by anyone,” Southern told MPs during a testy hour of testimony.
“Let me make this abundantly clear once more. No one but myself and my true experiences as a Canadian have informed my opinions.”
In September, the U.S. Justice Department unsealed an indictment against two Russian nationals accusing them of setting up a conservative media outlet as a front for pro-Kremlin propaganda.
It alleges two Russians — both employees of state broadcaster RT — illegally funnelled nearly $10 million into a company widely reported to be Tenet Media, founded last …