The story: A consortium of European journalists says it has uncovered an alleged Emirati disinformation campaign in Europe. According to European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) reports, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contracted a Swiss private intelligence firm to spy on and discredit European Muslims in 18 countries.

This follows French investigative journal Mediapart’s detailing in March of alleged Emirati coordination of an “information manipulation campaign” that targeted “Qatar’s network of influence in Europe.”

The coverage: Most EIC affiliate publications on July 7 reported on the alleged Emirati operation under the banner of “Abu Dhabi Secrets.”

• German publication Der Spiegel relayed that a data leak had detailed the alleged UAE intelligence operation.
  
  
• Alp Services, a Swiss firm reportedly hired by the UAE, is said to have been paid some 5.7M EUR to portray...