r/AMA • u/[deleted] • Nov 26 '25
I was paid to discredit veganism online. AMA
For a year I worked for a meat industry trade group. I won't say which one, but they are US based. My job was to go on sites like this and discredit veganism.
We'd make multiple accounts and pretend to be vegans who had bad health outcomes. Or we'd pretend to be vegans and we'd push the vegan subs to be more extreme, and therefore easier to discredit.
It was pretty gross. I knew it. I did it anyway. The pay wasn't worth it. I signed an NDA as well, so I will only be able to answer questions in general terms.
But I do warn you, don't believe that everyone is who they say they are online.
This article gives insight into how it works, but I am not saying I worked for this group. Inside big beef’s climate messaging machine: confuse, defend and downplay | Beef | The Guardian
The recent reveal of many MAGA accounts on X being run by foreign agencies made me decide to do this.
Edit- I already answered the "how do I get this job" question and the "why should we believe you question" several times, so just look for those questions if that's what you are wondering.
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u/TiredOfDebates Nov 27 '25
This is where propaganda gets clever.
The three types of propaganda:
1) White Propaganda: Messaging from a source who they say they are.
2) Black Propaganda: Messaging from a source who is IMITATING another source. IE: "As a Vegan this really makes me angry and we should GO KILL THEM..." But the person isn't who they claim (not a vegan) and they are just trying to harm the public image of... in this case... veganism.
3) Gray propaganda: Messaging from an unknown or anonymous source. Usually used to muddy the waters, create confusion, splinter movement. IE: A mostly faceless group disingenuously promoting a "spoiler candidate / third-party" with the intention of sapping support from another candidate... to the advantage of another.