In 2014, Finnish reporter Jessikka Aro began to investigate the existence of pro-Russian troll factories. According to Aro in an interview with BBC:
"I realized there was a new phenomenon of Russian information warfare. This was anonymous or fake profiles spreading propaganda on social networks - Facebook, Vkontakte, Twitter. I wanted to find out what kind of influence and impact they actually have in Finland, on freedom of speech and public debate."
Soon after Aro began this investigation, she became a target. Aro's private information began to get leaked by propagandists.The harassment has led to police investigations and court cases. In 2019, three of the Russian internet trolls who harassed Jessikka Aro were convicted of "aggravated defamation".
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In 2019, Jessikka Aro was recognized for her prestigious work by the US Department of State. Aro was to be awarded with International Women of Courage Award. However, in mid February, officials decided to rescind Ms. Aro’s award.
According to three State Department officials, " “had Ms. Aro’s social media content not come to light, she would have received the award.”
Aro went public to express her feelings about United States president Donald Trump. In one tweet Aro writes, “Trump constantly labels journalists as ‘enemy’ and ‘fake news.' Aro's posts were considered controversial due to her criticism of President Donald Trump.
State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino asserted it was a miscommunication and that she had been "incorrectly notified" of her award. He called it a "regrettable error," saying Aro actually "had not" been a finalist. After hearing her award had been revoked, Aro stated "In my heart I feel like an international woman of courage. That the Trump administration can't take away from me."
Jessikka Aro published her first book "Putin's Troll Army" in February of 2019. Aro tells the stories of how Kremlin propaganda fighters have been the victimized. They have been attacked not only by the Kremlin related troll factories but also in many cases by citizens who believe in Russia and their associated fake accounts. In her book, Aro illustrates her own story and compares the experiences of victims of similar conflicts from around the world.