Russia Today’s Disinformation Campaign: "these are lies falsely presented as news"

[uhnope]

http://www.humanrights.gov/2014/04/29/russia-todays-disinformation-campaign/

Moscow is subjecting Ukrainians, Russians and the rest of the world to an intense campaign of disinformation that tries to paint a dangerous and false picture of Ukraine’s legitimate government. Russia Today, the Moscow-based TV network financed by the government, is a key player in this campaign of distortion. Along with its Russian operation, RT operates an English-language broadcast out of Washington.

Last week, Secretary of State John Kerry referred to RT as a “propaganda bullhorn,” which was promoting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “fantasy.” The result was a predictable howl of protest from RT’s editor, who claimed the State Department knows little about what is really happening in Ukraine today and had the audacity to request an apology.

I spent seven years as the managing editor of TIME magazine before joining the State Department. I understand the difference between news, propaganda and opinion. Propaganda is the deliberate dissemination of information that you know to be false or misleading in order to influence an audience.

From assertions that peaceful protesters hired snipers to repeated allegations that Kiev is beset by violence, fascism and anti-Semitism, these are lies falsely presented as news. An opinion is subjective and not a statement of fact. Opinions, however odious, are defensible speech in a way that false claims are not. RT is a distortion machine, not a news organization.

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. And they, allegedly, are viewed by "50 million US households". That's a lot of propaganda.

There's a reason why RT isn't allowed in LBN. I hope, in the near future, they won't be allowed as reputable source, sitewide.

[uhnope]

2. terrifying. Imagine if 50 million watch RT while another 50 million watch FOX

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. I don't know why the poster didn't claim 50 gabillion, since none of it can be verified.

It was a joke. Nielsen doesn't even track their viewership. Whether it's 50 or 50 million, it's obvious that it's nothing more than a mouthpiece for the Kremlin.

[geek tragedy]

3. Heh, I do chuckle at a US govt website chiding a Russian government

media outlet. I guess at least the US is upfront I guess.

I highly doubt RT's audience is more than a rounding error compared to fox etc. in any event, any money spent in the US trying to boost the image of that corrupt, fascistic oligarchy is wasted.

[Nitram]

11. Are you referring to

the corrupt fascist oligarchy headed by Putin?

[another_liberal]

5. Official U.S. Government source for this. It's obviously just more propaganda.

When will people quit posting this government generated stuff?

(sigh)

[imthevicar]

6. This seems to be a recurring theme lately.

looks like the think tanks are thinking again. on how to stop an alternate truth to our own governments.

[newthinking]

8. We have our own one man campaign going on here

[another_liberal]

9. Money buys the official truth . . .

Question everything you are told by those with wealth and power.

[newthinking]

7. Yet you often quote from censored Bandera Ukraine media. You don't have an agenda now do you?

Last edited Thu May 22, 2014, 07:01 AM - Edit history (1)

I don't pay that much attention to RT but in general when I have I have found that much of their information is at least as accurate as our media, and I use other media sites and trusted progressive/liberal sites and local media to factcheck against them.

Sure they have a bias, as does every single other media outlet. Time magazine has it's own bias and agenda.
Like with any news outlet check against other trusted sources.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. Like their crackerjack reporting on the American Spring?

http://rt.com/usa/159244-operation-american-spring-washington/

[imthevicar]

12. You're silly!

I found this report accurate as it even mentioned this.

“Last October,‘10,000’ truckers were reportedly on their way to literally clog the Beltway and shut down traffic in protest of Washington politics,” Abby Ohlhiser wrote for The Wire on Thursday this week. “In reality, about 30 truckers showed up, and they caused no delays worth mentioning.”
I see nothing wrong with the reporting. it was a blurb that The reporter said in all probability would not amount to.