Is RT (Russia Today - cable news network) a legitimate non-propaganda news network?

I am wondering if anybody may have any insight on this?

RT claims to be a truth telling, non propaganda news station.

I must admit, they have aired many things and talked about many topics that the other news stations would never dare to touch. .. many revealing things. They speak frankly about the US government and their deceptive propaganda.

They are covering the whole charade with Julian Assange (from Wikileaks) and his sexual assault charges to extradite him to Sweden.

They even gave him his own show on RT with full control over it's production.

You would never hear any of this stuff on CNN or other stations.

However when it comes to their coverage of Syria, they do not sound much different from other news outlets.

So now I am confused. Could this be another propaganda station in disguise?

I figure they would find out about the recent blatant disinformation aired by CNN about the child massacre in Syria and air a piece about it, but this has not occurred. Also many other important things seem to be left out.

So if anybody has anymore insight into this television news network in regards to the above, it would be much appreciated. Would be interested in hearing other people's opinions.

They are listed as an ANO - Autonomous non-profit organization in Russia.
rt.com...

reply to post by nOraKat


I think they're more sensational, and very Pro-Russian interest biased. I've watched RT plenty of times, and I've always felt like it was straight up propaganda, although very interesting propaganda at that. It's sometimes neat to see the world from a perspective rather than our own.

Like any other media outlet, I'd take it for what is, mass media. I wouldn't put tons of trust in every word though. But then again, it's all a matter of figuring out what you want to hold as the best outlet really. Some people swear by CNN, others by Fox, and others by NBC.

They do at least tell more of the story than we get from the msm here in the uk, BUT, if they dont report what they're told they'd soon be DISSAPEARED!!

No.

Originally posted by Domo1
No.

It seems to be one of the leased biased to me. Foxnews, being the most.

reply to post by nOraKat

I remember at least one thread on here detailing their manipulation of some of the Occupy scenes so in answer to your question, I think the answer must be a "No". I can't find the thread but it involved "The School" footage and the corralling on the street where they pepper sprayed a girl or two in the face. Some people appeared to be making hand-signals to the cameras so they knew when to start filming. That was the postulation of the OP in any case and he/she seemed to make a fairly good case for it.

ETA And is it just me that finds it strange (curious strange, not creepy strange) that Russia has an English language channel that reports mainly about events outside Russia? What is in it for them?

The BBC does world and British news, CNN does world and US news, Al Jazeera does world and Middle Eastern news, RT does pretty much just world news....


ETA2 Phew, it's not just me, the poster below me expresses the same sentiment, but better.

When RT starts reporting Russian dirty laundry just as vigorously as it does everyone else's [except Russian allies and points of Russian interests] I'll start taking them a bit more serious as being unbiased,

As it stands now, anybody who cares to look at their reporting objectively will know and see they spin the News in their favor just like every other supposed "News" outlet.

It's popular among certain circles because it gives that slant/spin. So. IMO it does have it's place, and that's to round out the BS.


It's just a matter of which flavor BS one prefers.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Completely agree. Get a story from RT and a few others, you may start zeroing in on the truth.

It's a Russian propaganda tool, similar to Al Jazair.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Yes, but what does Russia's internal affair's matter to us? If they are exposing corruption here, and we know they're covering up what goes on in Russia, just use another source for information when it comes to Russia. No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I totally agree that RT is often sensationalist and one must always remember that there is a distinct posibility that what you see may be influenced by a foreign interest. I view RT and Al-Jazeera pretty similarly. I understand that they might have an agenda beyond simple reporting of events. One thing about both that earned my respect while the MSM lost it, is the lack of fluff you see on their programs. No celebrity news or petty crime stuff. Also I've found that RT actually let's their guests talk without interrupting.

If the MSM had the credibility that it had fifteen or twenty years ago, no one would care what either had to say. I've watched RT and Al-J slowly build their credibility as the MSM pissed it away. I blame the consolidation of a once much more vibrant international press corps into the hands of only a few entities along with an apathetic public that cares more about some pop culture phenom or mom kills kid case than issues of public importance.

So I guess I believe that RT is a legitimate network. I can't say it doesn't at times participate in propaganda, it's bias does show at times however but not much worse than Fox or MSNBC do to their respective constituencies.

Oh, and lest I forget, the female talent at RT is SMOKING HOT. There are some true Weapons of Mass Distraction there. Here's a Capital Accounts interview done with an economic blogger I read pretty regularly. I couldn't follow any of the guests on there because of well just watch.



www.youtube.com...

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


You'll admit they exclusively report on others dirt [Which is fine] while completely ignoring their own crap and still sit there and believe they are more balanced, fair and less bias?

I watch it a lot, but I also watch France 24, and Al Jezeera. I get that Mhz channel on Roku and I love it. I rarely watch the Asian news though, just don't like it.

I feel like yes, there's a slant, and it can at times be more than a bit anti-US, but it's just another perspective - not everyone in the world is pro Johnny America with bikini girls and cars.

I think the best thing to do is to watch SEVERAL sources. The US media is as much or MORE biased than RT or any other news outlet, and worse - the US media is lazy and prefers to run after the easy press releases and celebrity stories than to really dig down and do an informative story. US media is too afraid they will 'bore' their less intellectual viewers or *something.*

I love how Russia Today and France 24 and Al Jezeera show a lot of maps and more global happenings and areas in their coverage. I feel like my GEOGRAPHY knowledge is better for watching them, something I find that a lot of Americans lack.

Originally posted by v1rtu0s0
reply to post by SLAYER69

 

Yes, but what does Russia's internal affair's matter to us?

Conversely

What does US internal affair's matter to the Russians and the world? Yet, they are obsessed with showing exactly that.

So,

"Is RT (Russia Today - cable news network) a legitimate non-propaganda news network?"

No

s RT (Russia Today - cable news network) a legitimate non-propaganda news network?

Nope they are as biased as any other when ever any claims "truth" that is a tell tale sign of it aint.

As a matter of fact...


RT should just change their name from "Russia Today" To "Today in America and Everywhere else but Russia"

reply to post by SLAYER69


slayer that slayed me.

Originally posted by SLAYER69
reply to post by v1rtu0s0

 

You'll admit they exclusively report on others dirt [Which is fine] while completely ignoring their own crap and still sit there and believe they are more balanced, fair and less bias?

They're less biased when it comes to reporting our current events because they are trying to expose the corruption in our country with the goal of making the government look bad. This has the side effect of informing the population of said corruption.

So yes, in some regards they are less biased.

Originally posted by SLAYER69

Originally posted by v1rtu0s0
reply to post by SLAYER69

 

Yes, but what does Russia's internal affair's matter to us?

Conversely

What does US internal affair's matter to the Russians and the world? Yet, they are obsessed with showing exactly that.

So,

"Is RT (Russia Today - cable news network) a legitimate non-propaganda news network?"

No

Right. Every network is spreading some form of propaganda. By definition everyone is dissemenating information with an agenda of some sort. But if you understand that agenda, and use it to your own benefit, then disinfo can become valueable information.

Originally posted by v1rtu0s0
Right. Every network is spreading some form of propaganda. By definition everyone is spreading information with an agenda of some sort. But if you understand that agenda, and use it to your own benefit, then disinfo can become valueable information.

Right


But, you can't sit there and tell me you haven't seen people on these boards and elsewhere eat up obvious propaganda bits from the BBC, FOX, CNN, PressTV and yes RT just to name a few as if it's manna from heaven.

That's the problem. Many people cant distinguish the difference and most of those are not even aware there is a difference