RT. sophisticated, seems believable. But is it propaganda or alternative news?
nov. 25, 2016
Estonian Life No. 47 2016
RT, stands for Russia Today, a government-funded television network, that produces multi-lingual news programs and internet content, transmitted via cable and satellite to audiences outside of Russia.
Headquartered in Moscow, RT International, broadcasts 24-hour news programming, debates, talk shows, documentaries, sports news and cultural items about Russia. In addition it also provides extensive coverage of local news of countries it is targetting.
RT is considered by many to be a propaganda agency for the Kremlin especially when broadcasting items involving Russian foreign policy. This is the opinion of many news reporters including RT journalists who accuse it of spreading misinformation. Most of the on-camera staff are non-Russian, speaking fluently in the several languages in which RT broadcasts. This in itself adds to the credibility of the distorted reportage that RT presents in a sophisticated broadcast package.
While RT does not, in general, encounter censorship or restrictions from the target countries that carry its channel, Ofcom, the UK media regulator has found RT to be violating rules rules on impartiality and broadcasting “materially misleading” content. Rather than totally rejecting Ofcom's findings, RT has admitted that it merely presents a Russian perspective on international events. (Pikemalt Eesti Elu 25. nov. paberlehest)
Laas Leivat, Toronto
