Russian Media: Do Russians trust them - why/why not?

Everyone in the Western world has read about "Putin's propaganda" in Russia. We are supposed to believe that Russian domestic news are nothing but lies and pro-Putin agitation...
I want to hear what Russians think.

How reliable are newspapers like Izvestia, Kommersant and Rossiskaya Gazeta? What about news channels, i.e. Vesti/Rossia24 and LifeNews?

Do they report what you perceive as the real problems in society? Do you feel that they are covering things up? Do they report critically about the government and local authorities?
Do they expose corruption, pollution and abuse?
Do you want them to?

If you do not trust mainstream media, what alternative sources do you use for Russian domestic news?
What do you think of media in UA/BY/KZ?

(And I am not saying this as criticism against Russia - I believe we have a serious problem with news reporting in Europe. Plus - I am a fan of RT and Sputniknews. However, if I turn on Rossiya24 I cannot determine whether they are in tune with local news in Russia, or not - since I don't know the conditions well enough, or public opinion in Russia)

Without any doubt there is shift of accents and filtering of information in media. Any kind of media.
I sometimes read Guardian, Washington Times and New York Times and laugh. Because I see simmetrical distortions.

To say the truth it works.

P.S.

Worker class and people who are far from politics tends to belive in the picture which media creates.
"Intellectual class" (emm... I doubt that I correct in the meaning of "интеллигенция") sees these distortions. And again, some of them sees distortions in "alternative sources". So there is mess. There is constant fighting in internet, for example, vice and versa. And, if, after USSR decay, "truthness of mass media" was some ideal. Now this ideal is broken. Many of "интеллигенция" not only see distortions, but support them because of idea "if everybody lies, let's lie against other lies".

P.P.S.

It is internet who messed this up. Because people not only listen to media, but become some sort of self-made media too. Blogs, forums, etc.

Thanks Alex for interesting insights.

I have noticed that Russians are majorly into conspiracy theories - almost as mainstream. It's quite interesting.

I also realise that intelligent Russians have a very well developed "bullshit" detector from Soviet days, and realise that it's always a good idea to seek out an alternative perspective if something doesn't sound quite right.

All this makes for a public that can't be easily fooled, I think. Therefore I have a hard time believing that Russian media is as propagandistic as Western media would have us believe.

My take on it is that they simply refrain from serious criticism against Putin, and I think that this gap is filled to the brim on Russian internet, anyway.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the public genuninely seem to support Edinnaya Rossiya, in Russia. So either the media is representing public opinion, or possibly - media is leading public opinion...? No amount of media manipulation can make somebody feel positive about a bad situation though.

Also there is Novaya Gazeta, which IS critical.
And Russians can watch Euronews in Russian - definitely not pro-Russia/Putin.
There are lots of radio broadcasts in Russian that are critical against Putin, i.e BBC, RFE etc.

So I don't believe that Russian media can get away with bullshitting on any large scale, even if they wanted to.

That said, I have to laugh at the participation of a certain Johan Bäckman on Rossiya24, when Finland is discussed. They really should bring in somebody else. 25% of what he says is true, the rest is nonsense + I think Bäckman seriously believes Putin is God. He is not representative of Finland.

I took a university class that was essentially on media and propaganda: How to do it, and how to recognise it. A long time ago. At the time, it was said that Russian media was the freest on earth (early to mid 90s) because it received state money to fund it, but was not subject to any kind of steering regarding content, at all. It was a unique situation and must have been nice for the journalists.

I also know that Russia has a very well developed blogosphere of truly independent people.

The reports of Russian "troll factories" are disturbing, but it's definitely something the USA is already doing and I also believe that it's not impossible that the whole thing is made up as part of a propaganda war. I'd like to see some concrete evidence before I believe it.

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So I don't believe that Russian media can get away with bullshitting on any large scale, even if they wanted to.

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It is more about shifting accents and filtering.
For example dozen of "activist" people went for 10 meters with couple of transparants. Media reports "huge protest actions takes place in ...". I saw this kind of bullshit in both of pro-russian and anti-russian media. And so on.

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..."troll factories"...

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Often it is personal initiative. I acted in such manner in Guardian comments ~1 year ago. Why? Beacause I saw lies like above there. Now I just tired of political holywars. Trying not to waste time.

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Originally Posted by Alex80

It is more about shifting accents and filtering.
For example dozen of "activist" people went for 10 meters with couple of transparants. Media reports "huge protest actions takes place in ...". I saw this kind of bullshit in both of pro-russian and anti-russian media. And so on.

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Yeah, that's a classical tactic though, and if Russian media uses it, they are not the only ones!

Here in London there can be manifestations with 100,000 people and media just ignores it, or writes that it was hooligans or extremists. Meanwhile a small group of people demonstrating about the "right" matter gets lots of attention.

RT is brilliant for bridging that gap, for the UK. Thank you, Russian tax payers... They will cover the issues that mainstream ignores. I also don't see them having an agenda to the same degree as mainstream media. The only agenda they have is that they don't like the EU or the USA. That's not a problem for me though. I am neutral on the issue of the EU and appreciate hearing the negatives even if I think they are exaggerating a bit.

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Originally Posted by Alex80

Often it is personal initiative. I acted in such manner in Guardian comments ~1 year ago. Why? Beacause I saw lies like above there. Now I just tired of political holywars. Trying not to waste time.

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Same here:
I defended Russia in a debate in a Swedish forum (in relation to Crimea) and was accused of being a paid Russian troll by several people. They said things like "What's the weather like in Moscow", "Hope Putin is paying you well" and "Your Swedish is pretty good, Ivan".
Several other people got similar comments — Very infuriating, in addition to simply ridiculous and ludicrous.

But it's just a genius form of propaganda, because it instantly dismisses anyone who goes against the official version. Nobody would listen to somebody who was a paid troll, even if they happened to be right.

In the meantime we know for sure, from Snowden's leaks, that the US is doing this through its military. Not to mention "think tanks" that are known to take on university students and housewives to spread their message online.

I do think that the Russian news are quite biased in the issue of Ukraine/Donbass, but 1) it's understandable..... and 2) I can't point out any concrete errors because I have no personal knowledge about the situation on the ground. It's just a feeling. And based on what I hear about media censorship in Ukraine and banning of Russian journalists, UA is just as bad...

I feel that levels of biasing in our countries are not far from each over. Russia is now under direct charges, so, maybe bigger by 50%, because government feels uncomfortable. But not 1000%. Primary media tend to bias, but not to lie directly.

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Originally Posted by Alex80

I feel that levels of biasing in our countries are not far from each over. Russia is now under direct charges, so, maybe bigger by 50%, because government feels uncomfortable. But not 1000%. Primary media tend to bias, but not to lie directly.

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Do you feel as if there is a sort of anti-USA or anti-EU hysteria in Russian media, or do you feel like they are quite objective about it?

(I personally think that Russian media is very negative about the EU. But that's not unique for Russia. British media only writes negative about the EU, and looks for the faults, just like Russian media.)

When it comes to the USA, I don't think Russian media is as propagandistic about the USA as American media is about Russia.

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Do you feel as if there is a sort of anti-USA or anti-EU hysteria in Russian media...?

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Yes. USA is in the center of this "hysteria". England is apart from EU in many ways, and represented as "center number 2" (much lower in rank, but it has "evil will").
EU represented mostly as "gutless, fell under the bad influence, but not bad itself, fellowship of countries" (powerful! but "fell under bad influence").

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Originally Posted by Alex80

Yes. USA is in the center of this "hysteria". England is apart from EU in many ways, and represented as "center number 2" (much lower in rank, but it has "evil will").
EU represented mostly as "gutless, fell under the bad influence, but not bad itself, fellowship of countries" (powerful! but "fell under bad influence").

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Haha..... It may be propaganda, but I personally think it's more or less true, and I am not the only European with this opinion - and I am not influenced by any propaganda in this respect.

Quite the opposite, I reached this opinion despite propaganda that says the exact opposite, i.e. USA stands for freedom, democracy and fighting evil... Russia is an aggressive and dangerous dictatorship....

For me, it's very hard to understand that people fall for the "Evil Russia" narrative, when there is so little actual proof. But the power of media and Hollywood can never be underestimated.

However, I can understand that from your perspective it may be frustrating to have a narrative stuffed down your throat every time you turn on the news. Particularly if you don't agree.

And there are two sides to this story. While I lean towards the Russian view on things, I don't believe that to be the full story by any means.

Without being Russian I can provide you with an answer Hanna.
Russia is a quasi-democracy with a long term undisputed one-party government so you shouldn't except objectivity of media.
The owners of media are either members of the ruling party or even receivers of public funding and financing (directly or in the background).
There are of course many additional minor sources of information (e.g. newspapers, radio programs) that try to present a different angle of interior and foreign policy but they are extremely small to affect the public opinion.

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Russia is a quasi-democracy with a long term undisputed one-party government so you shouldn't except objectivity of media.
The owners of media are either members of the ruling party or even receivers of public funding and financing (directly or in the background).

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Just want to ask, if you change "one party" to "two party" in this sentence (keeping all other things the same) - will it be better and bring more democracy?

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Originally Posted by Alex80

Just want to ask, if you change "one party" to "two party" in this sentence (keeping all other things the same) - will it be better and bring more democracy?

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I don't know - we'll have to see what Antonio thinks.
But it's not like the other parties are banned: KPRF is the second biggest with many millions of supporters and members. I doubt they would improve the media situation if they won though....

The reality of the situation is that the majority in Russia seem to prefer Edinaya Rossiya over anything else - and media reflects it.

The interesting question is: What will happen if Edinnaya Rossiya and/or Putin makes some huge mistake, and Russian public opinion turns against them? Will it be possible to openly discuss that in media? Will it be possible to demonstrate against them? Will it be possible to get rid of them in an election?

This said, I think democracy is very hollow in most of Europe too. There are constantly things going on that the majority is against. Only Switzerland has a democracy that I think is genuine, with their referendums...

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What will happen if Edinnaya Rossiya and/or Putin makes some huge mistake, and Russian public opinion turns against them?

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We will elect "lesser evil", which is (by media) something like Prohorov.

I can ask the same question to USA:
"What will happen if Democrats makes some huge mistake, and USA public opinion turns against them? Which party do you elect?" (n years passed)
Ok, but...
"What will happen if Respublicans makes some huge mistake, and USA public opinion turns against them? Which party do you elect? (n years passed)
Ok, but...
"What will happen if Democrats makes some huge mistake again, and USA public opinion turns against them? Which party do you elect?" (n years passed)
...
I found it very convenient, yes. :)

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Originally Posted by Alex80

Just want to ask, if you change "one party" to "two party" in this sentence (keeping all other things the same) - will it be better and bring more democracy?

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Nope.
The level of democracy in one country is not calculated by the number of parties that take or leave the power.
Japan which is a real democracy for many years (I think half century) had only one ruling party with overwhelming majority.
At the moment Russia cannot become a real democracy because the "social capital" which is indispensable for the formation of a real democracy simply does not exist.
Media will remain under the control of Putin.
Nevertheless let's hope that things will change, but in order the things to change we should have an improvement of the economic conditions in Russia.

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Japan which is a real democracy...had only one ruling party

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But the Japan has the one of the most highest levels of suicide in the world!
Obviously, it is consequences of the one-party regime which suffocates people.

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Originally Posted by Alex80

But the Japan has the one of the most highest levels of suicide in the world!
Obviously, it is consequences of the one-party regime which suffocates people.

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I'm pretty sure this is because they have abandoned all hope since Putin's gonna come and subjugate them anyway.

P.S. Not to joke about suicide... I just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Ontopic:

I for one don't really trust certain Russian media if I see something related to politics. One should realize that political news is slanted at best... Usually it is grossly distorted. All in all it should be taken with a big grain of salt, especially when it comes to TV. For example if there is a controversial topic, Russian TV shows don't really discuss it in terms of should we do this, but in terms of why we should do this and why this is good for all of us. This is particulary true when it comes to Russia's involvement in Syria.

Another example would be a very interesting trait a lot of Russian shows exhibit when talking about Ukraine. They often invite a Ukrainian guest, needless to say that guest holds a pro-Ukrainian view and that'd be fine if the guest was there to provide a different perspective on the situation in Ukraine, so that the viewers could draw their own conclusions. Instead, everyone there would just treat the Ukranian as if he is utterly insane, they'd never give them an opportunity to speak out or defend. Others would just constantly interrupt, yell or just shut them up. Oh, boy, such a cheap trick to sway people's minds.

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Originally Posted by Alex80

We will elect "lesser evil", which is (by media) something like Prohorov.

I can ask the same question to USA:

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Yes - I know. I almost want to believe the propaganda against Russia.
I am beginning to feel like a FREAK because I don't believe that Russia is a dangerous dictatorship.

Almost everybody else seems to believe it, and media is constantly writing it.

I feel a bit alone with my different view of politics and the state of the world.
It would be a lot easier to have the same view as everybody else around me.

Prokhorov is an oligarch! How can anybody trust an oligarch?!
According to Wiki, he got 7.5 percent of votes, coming in third in presidential elections in 2012.

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Originally Posted by Antonio1986

Nope.
The level of democracy in one country is not calculated by the number of parties that take or leave the power.
Japan which is a real democracy for many years (I think half century) had only one ruling party with overwhelming majority.
At the moment Russia cannot become a real democracy because the "social capital" which is indispensable for the formation of a real democracy simply does not exist.
Media will remain under the control of Putin.
Nevertheless let's hope that things will change, but in order the things to change we should have an improvement of the economic conditions in Russia.

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I have been in Japan quite a lot because my step-mother comes from there.

As a democracy, it is a joke! The Japanese never particularly wanted democracy.The reason they have it, is because the US defeated them in the second world war, and decided that it should be a democracy.

My step-mums elderly relatives for example, didn't seem to even understand the concept. I think they believed that it was some kind of patriotic duty to turn up and cast their vote for the LDP every year, so they did it. In reality, their actual opinions on things were not even in line with the LDP.

There is an "emperor" mentality about leadership in East Asia and I think Russia has a touch of that too. And there is nothing wrong with that - it's a matter of culture and circumstances. In many ways it's better than just worshipping money and rich people, like the US and it's supporters do.

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Originally Posted by iCake

Another example would be a very interesting trait a lot of Russian shows exhibit when talking about Ukraine. They often invite a Ukrainian guest, needless to say that guest holds a pro-Ukrainian view and that'd be fine if the guest was there to provide a different perspective on the situation in Ukraine, so that the viewers could draw their own conclusions. Instead, everyone there would just treat the Ukranian as if he is utterly insane, they'd never give them an opportunity to speak out or defend. Others would just constantly interrupt, yell or just shut them up. Oh, boy, such a cheap trick to sway people's minds.

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Yeah, I noticed that when I was watching Rossiya 24.
In comparison with two countries I know well:

I think that British media is a little bit better than Russian media. All British mainstream media have more or less the same view albeit with variation about their views on the EU and immigration. There can be a debate as long as everybody stays within "acceptable" parameters. But you couldn't for example see somebody who was pro-Assad and speak freely.

On the other hand, a British paper was able to publish the Snowden material. In comparison, if somebody defected from Russia with compromising material, I don't think a Russian mainstream paper could publish it (?) So in that respect, British media is more free.

On the other hand, Russian media is better than Swedish media which is extremely narrow. There is only one acceptable view on everything in Sweden, and all mainstream media with no exception take this view. People who think differently can't have a say at all. As a result, people blog and use forums online.

In Russian media on the other side, you see quite lively debates on a wide spectrum of things, with lots of very different viewpoints represented, including very controversial ones.
In many ways, Russian media reminds me of American media - just with different opinions, but the format and presentation is quite similar - a bit more "serious" but more flashy and in-your-face than European news.

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Originally Posted by Hanna

I think that British media is a little bit better than Russian media. All British mainstream media have more or less the same view albeit with variation about their views on the EU and immigration.

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I think more or less the same view is a problem of all British media on all topics. It seems that the same view could be due to lack of actual journalism or because that "opinion" is not really an opinion but a government-controlled narrative. I've been reading British press for several years now, mostly Russia-related topics and what I see is kinda disgusting: any(or most) of positive things about Russia are not delivered to the media readers like they don't even exist and any negative things are always delivered and often exaggerated.
If I would read English-version of RT I would find positive and negative things about Russia but if you'd mention RT anywhere on British media you gonna get labeled as a Putinbot right away(BTW comments moderators on British media are very biased too).

When I read about Syria it's even funnier - many "facts" reported by British media are taken from "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights" which is a British-based agency with very questionable credibility(I suspect that all information comes from the facebook or twitter), while Russia has at least seven news agencies in Syria at the moment. But Russian media would be immediately claimed as "propaganda" by British MSM, unless the information could be used to support "evil Russians and bad Putin" narrative.

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Originally Posted by hddscan

I think more or less the same view is a problem of all British media on all topics. It seems that the same view could be due to lack of actual journalism or because that "opinion" is not really an opinion but a government-controlled narrative. I've been reading British press for several years now, mostly Russia-related topics and what I see is kinda disgusting: any(or most) of positive things about Russia are not delivered to the media readers like they don't even exist and any negative things are always delivered and often exaggerated.
If I would read English-version of RT I would find positive and negative things about Russia but if you'd mention RT anywhere on British media you gonna get labeled as a Putinbot right away(BTW comments moderators on British media are very biased too).

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Yes - On the topic of Russia, all British paper have the same view. Where they differ is mainly on the EU, immigration and family values.

—The conservative papers don't like Russia because the USA says so, and because "Russia is a threat to national security" etc.
—The more liberal papers don't like Russia because "Putin is anti-gay", "there are human rights abuses in Russia" etc.

(and there is a certain overlap...)
They will never, ever publish any "normal" news about Russia, unless possibly if there has been an accident. But even then, they'll try to sneak in some negative accusation if they can.

It must be very frustrating to read untrue information about your own country like that. As for commenting in British paper - yes, they would think you were a "paid Putin troll" if you defended Russia.
So you can't win. If you defend it, you are a Putin troll, and it's part of a Russian propaganda offensive.
If you don't defend it, they will get away with the lies.

But RT is getting more viewers across Europe all the time. I've noticed Sputnik News is referenced a lot by alternative media in Sweden.
If people notice that what they are saying is more in tune with reality on certain issues - it doesn't matter where the info comes from.

I wanted to post a video of that funny RT clip which they run quite often that says "Turn off your TV, this is Russian propaganda", and with quotes from John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. But I can't find it.

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Originally Posted by Hanna

Yes - On the topic of Russia, all British paper have the same view. Where they differ is mainly on the EU, immigration and family values.
...
They will never, ever publish any "normal" news about Russia, unless possibly if there has been an accident. But even then, they'll try to sneak in some negative accusation if they can.

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And the big question is: if you know that British media have no problem publishing biased information and withholding facts about Russia, how could you trust them about any other topic? How could you know they deliver real facts and all the facts?
Going back to what you said: "I think that British media is a little bit better than Russian media.", don't you think this statement is a personal belief which was formed by the media overtime, constantly saying that Russian media is "propaganda" and British media is not, while in reality it is clear that British media does not hesitate to bend the facts to support a certain narrative?

What I found - there is no way one can find a truthful source of information anywhere in the world, sometimes because such sources withhold some information, sometimes because they lie and sometimes because they publish some information that they believe to be truthful but in reality it was fabricated and planted by somebody else. Some sources try to be objective more than other but not all the time.

Media are also biased by the fact that they are economic agents, who earn money.
So, their content tends to be some "hot/extreme" things. Conflicts, problems, deaths, etc. They need attention, they get it.
It is understandable, but it can lead to the feeling that all world around consists from conflicts, problems and deaths only. And Kardashian's ass.
There is no true depiction of life in media by nature.

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Originally Posted by Hanna

Y

Prokhorov is an oligarch! How can anybody trust an oligarch?!
According to Wiki, he got 7.5 percent of votes, coming in third in presidential elections in 2012.

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Even worse, he promised Yo-mobile
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-Mobile
but did not manage. Still, he can speak right things with a great confidence.
And being compared to Zuganov, I'd say he has all chances.

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Originally Posted by hddscan

And the big question is: if you know that British media have no problem publishing biased information and withholding facts about Russia, how could you trust them about any other topic? How could you know they deliver real facts and all the facts?

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That's exactly the problem! When it comes to areas of the world that I know very little about - I am completely at their mercy. If they talk about something that happens in Bangladesh, Somalia, Bolivia or Yemen - I simply can't say what the truthfulness is. I can't call a friend, I haven't been there and I don't have time to do research....

And that's the same problem most Europeans (and Americans) would have with news from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus.

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Originally Posted by hddscan

Going back to what you said: "I think that British media is a little bit better than Russian media.", don't you think this statement is a personal belief

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The only reason I said that is for 1 simple reason:
Snowden's material could be published in the Guardian without any major consequences for the publisher. If there was a Russian Snowden, could Izvestiya or Novaya Gazeta publish the material?
My impression is that they couldn't. But I am not sure, just guessing!

Between RT and BBC for world news - my preference is actually for RT, at the moment. I think their credibility is higher in most areas, although I am aware that there is an agenda to some of their choices of what to report and what not to.

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Originally Posted by hddscan

What I found - there is no way one can find a truthful source of information anywhere in the world, sometimes because such sources withhold some information, sometimes because they lie and sometimes because they publish some information that they believe to be truthful but in reality it was fabricated and planted by somebody else. Some sources try to be objective more than other but not all the time.

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I agree. And it's got even worse now, with social media where anyone can start a rumour.

My approach to the news has always been to try to consider both sides of the story. I think journalists should too.
Right now, to get the other side of the story about Syria, Ukraine, the USA's wars, immigration and economics, it's necessary to turn to non-Western media.

And even if there is no such thing as the absolute truth or completely objective media, it's still the case that some reports are closer to the truth than others.

China's propaganda film "5 year plan is cool"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHL-0N07rxo

Imagine if Russia had made the same video to say "Putin's strategy is cool". Although China is much worse than Russia on everything the West claims to care about, there is still no info war against China!

In my opinion: The country that will take down the USA will not be Russia, but China. Using America's love for money and consumption against itself. That's who the Americans should worry about - not Russia.

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Originally Posted by Alex80

Media are also biased by the fact that they are economic agents, who earn money.
So, their content tends to be some "hot/extreme" things. Conflicts, problems, deaths, etc. They need attention, they get it.
It is understandable, but it can lead to the feeling that all world around consists from conflicts, problems and deaths only. And Kardashian's ass.
There is no true depiction of life in media by nature.

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Agree: The best press would exist somewhere where the government funds it, but lets it write exactly what it wants. Apparently that was happening for a while in Russia during early 1990s. But such a situation can't last...

I don't completely trust any media, but I think that Russian goverment media are much more objective when describing situation in Russia and Russia-related international affairs than Western media. Goverment media cetranly have their agenda but they at least rarely report total fakes and check their sources unlike "liberal" media. there is an information war ongoing currently and so-called Russian "liberal" media like "Novaya Gazeta", "Kommersant", RBK, Echo Moskvy etc are just enemy agents of influence and can't be trusted at all, especially "Novaya Gazeta" and "Echo Moskvy" who turned almost completely into "hate speech" mode. Here is an example how a "liberal" journalist deals with different opinion (it's Ukrainian radio but the guy is quite famous Moscow journalist):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YPvQhnlEOY

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Originally Posted by Basil77

I don't completely trust any media, but I think that Russian goverment media are much more objective when describing situation in Russia and Russia-related international affairs than Western media. Goverment media cetranly have their agenda but they at least rarely report total fakes and check their sources unlike "liberal" media. there is an information war ongoing currently and so-called Russian "liberal" media like "Novaya Gazeta", "Kommersant", RBK, Echo Moskvy etc are just enemy agents of influence and can't be trusted at all, especially "Novaya Gazeta" and "Echo Moskvy" who turned almost completely into "hate speech" mode. Here is an example how a "liberal" journalist deals with different opinion (it's Ukrainian radio but the guy is quite famous Moscow journalist):

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Hey!! Good to see you too. Try to understand Lampada. I think it got very personal for her, and she was also worried that there were too many very patriotic Russians, arguing very passionately. From my standpoint: I already knew the Ukraine perspective, since that's also the Western perspective, so I wanted to hear the Russian perspective, from Russian. But from Lampada's perspective it all got too much. We are all just humans... I eventually reached a different perspective but I respect hers nevertheless. Got a bit irritated though, same as you, and took a break. Now a have a few days on my hands and couldn't stop myself from starting a few rants here! Ought to visit for the language studies though, not to write on politics.

Anyway: Nice to hear your perspective. I think you are the voice of conservative/patriotic Russians here at the moment. I can absolutely sympathise with your standpoint. I think I would feel the same, if I was Russian.

And I don't think it's true to say that "all Russian media is under the control of Putin" when there is media like this, and like Novaya Gazeta... Saying that, is part of a propaganda narrative to black-paint Russia.

Western media would have us believe that Russia today is like the USSR in the 1970s in terms of information - complete nonsense. I see more free and independent thinking among Russians than among most Brits I know.

Plus - when Russian media disses another country/region - they do it based mainly on FACTS.
Whereas Western media make up something that's not true, and repeat it until it becomes "truth". I.e. "gays are persecuted in Russia", "Putin kills journalists" etc.

There is 0.01% truth in it, but they create a whole new narrative based on their agenda.
Finally- even if therethere are/were problems with freedom of expression in Russia, so what?!
It seems to have been helpful for China to keep things wrapped up a bit - things could easily disintegrate into chaos there, which wouldn't help anyone.
And look at our ally Saudi Arabia, among others. Compared with them, Russia is a haven of political openness ...
But as it is, I think Russian media is free to expose pollution, corruption and scandals?!
Or if not, what are the big scandals that are covered up...?

As for RT: It's pretty clear from the "Newsteam" docu-soap about their reporters, that their international reporters are 100% genuine and committed - and definitely not any cynical propagandists.

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Originally Posted by Hanna

Anyway: Nice to hear your perspective. I think you are the voice of conservative/patriotic Russians here at the moment. I can absolutely sympathise with your standpoint. I think I would feel the same, if I was Russian.

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Thanks. Actually, before this Ukrainian crisis I was quite anti-Putin and anti-government and I still strongly oppose the current economic policy of our government. But I rather agree with current foreign policy of Russia. Also there are quite a few improvements in everyday life that happened here during the last years despite economic crisis caused by low oil prices mostly and by western sanctions (at much less extent).