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GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - Is Russia unfavourable for journalists’ work?
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- john September 4, 2008, 19:25
- To Democracy Sceptic:
I agree completely. In the States, we have many, many news outlets and periodicals criticising, exposing, researching and commenting on our government and the politicians. There is so much transparency in this hyper-computer age that it is incredible.
These journalists never get killed, threatened, etc. In fact, they are often invited to talk shows and are put on the news to show alternate opinions.
I'm not saying either the government or its opponents are squeaky clean, but everyone is allowed their open forums without fear.
I find it particularly curious how the media is blatantly untrue in RT.
I was at the Republican convention. I am a big advocate of Ron Paul. However...I did not see the things Russia Today is saying happened. There are always some minor protests (which is a good thing)...but they were not "cuffing journalists" or "violence in the streets". In fact, everything was relatively calm and typical. Peaceful protesting is a benefit we enjoy.
Where do they get...or should I say...fabricate this stuff?
- Sevodnya_Net September 3, 2008, 13:26
- Re Democracy Sceptic's comments about the press in Russia:
It's curious, but in many ways the press in Russia is more diverse than in Britain. Hardly surprising, I suppose, given the size of the RF compared to Britain. There are all sorts of alternative viewpoints expressed but the problem is that once these outlets start to seem troublesome to the authorities - mainly through adopting a high profile - then they may hit "problems".
The size and diversity of the country is partly the reason for the control freakery of the people in charge, but of course in this information day and age you simply can't adopt the old communist totalitarian approach in a country of that size.
Anna Politkovskaya, who wrote for Novaya Gazeta, used to complain ruefully that while it was possible to publish articles criticising the Kremlin, people weren't interested in reading them in sufficient numbers, yet paradoxically that is probably why they were largely tolerated.
- Democracy Sceptic September 2, 2008, 22:20
- Can anyone tell me if there are any newspapers on sale in Russia that regularly criticise their government and its members, calling for resignations and exposing them for malpractice or scandalous private life activities, as the newspapers do in Britain concerning its politicians?
I doubt that you can.
- Robert September 2, 2008, 21:56
- The sad truth is that when Russian journalists have been murdered by the shadowy groups and criminal mafias they have exposed to the light of day, the police often have been unable to conduct effective investigations. The police must be given greater resources so that the criminals can be prosecuted and jailed.
- Sevodnya_Net September 2, 2008, 19:06
- Ingushetia is a particularly difficult place for journalists. Plainly not all the Russian Federation presents the same dangers, but Ingushetia has been several murders and attacks on journalists in the last couple of years. Yet another area benefitting from the Kremlin's idea of imposed "sovereign democracy" under President Zyazikov...
- John September 1, 2008, 10:35
- It is not favorable if you want to print the truth or have an opinion against the government.
You get killed.
Just like running an opposition website, as we have seen this week.
- Paddy September 1, 2008, 03:16
- Seems to me that journalist in Russia who are critical of the government end up dead just like the website owner accidentally shot in the head while in police custody. I must say all those who have been executed were very brave men and women as most of them knew they were targets. But I think journalists who work for Russia Today should be safe enough. Keep up the good work!
- E.Iapetides August 30, 2008, 02:42
- Lets put it this way: It isn't as unfavorable to "true journalism" as the west is. At least not yet, mainly because Russia's approach to information is nothing but a less polished copy of the western model.
Western media is about Selling. Ass wipes, Hot dogs, Beliefs, Ideals, Candidates, Policies, Wars...No lie is to big no trick to low. You got it we sell it. That's what western media is all about.
Unfortunately, Russia's Media outlets are going down the same path. I think a more original approach, would be more appealing to those who had enough of FOX and co.
- Math August 21, 2008, 12:33
- According to the BBC the Russian government issued new casualty figures on Ossetia (aug. 7 & 8). According to Russia the number of civilian casualties by Georgian force is 133. Is this true? If yes, why is RT not reporting this? If not, why is RT not reporting the "real" numbers?
This is especially important because Russian media (and also some media in the West) seemed to be to eager to report the first figures (2.000 and later 1.600) without verifying them. Also important: Why has the Russian government repeatedly denied access to Ossetia for the International Red Cross?
Make's me wonder if these new figures will change anything in Russian public opinion about the (dis)proportionality of Russian actions.
- Sevodnya_Net August 20, 2008, 11:46
- Where is RT at the moment? In its undoubted brief to shamelessly push a particular agenda on the S. Ossetian conflict it is right on target. As a serious rival to other international 24-hour news stations the recent conflict has seen its reputation take a severe hammering.
All TV stations are biased to a degree and they all certainly come at stories from a particular angle: that is inevitable. RT's position during the conflict though has gone way beyond the "Russian" angle. Certain aspects of Russia's involvement in the conflict have simply not been reported or if they have been it is only very late in the day.
Where is the Tbilisi correspondent, for example?
Now that western reporters have been allowed into the conflict zone, albeit grudgingly it seems, and in particular Tskhinvali, I see no evidence that, say the BBC are trying to cover up any aspect of Georgian aggression: last night their correspondent referred to the "brutal Georgian bombardment" and we had stories of Georgians in occupied Georgia proper who, while relating stories of murder by militia, made a point of claiming that Russian occupying forces had behaved in a civilised manner. And the entire piece came with the caveat that "none of these stories of course can be verified". This style of reporting is a million miles from RT's approach.
I realise that RT is effectively state-run operation and as the Russian state is conducting the war one might not expect an attempt at absolute impartiality, to put it mildly, in the same way that one hardly expects Georgian state media to attempt the same, but I might have expected a little more dignity and self-respect from a station which broadcasts a face of Russia mainly to the western world.
- kill9oscar August 20, 2008, 08:13
- I think RT needs to keep on top of things and always be ahead of the other networks. Where they are, RT needs to be there as well.
There is a story about Georgian blindfolded and carried away along with American Humvees. Where is this on RT?
With all the propaganda being fomented against Russia, RT can't afford to "hide" certain stories because public opinion is a weapon of mass destruction or construction that is used very effectively in the west to formulate policy and punishment prior to conviction in circumvention of long held laws.
Russia needs to realise that the disease of Talmudic communism which was forced upon them in the form of the Soviet Union was a success that Russia was able to rid itself of. That same said disease is now taking new form and shape in similar form as the European UNION, African UNION, Asiatic UNION, North American UNION, et al. Will Russia play ball? I don't know, but I do know Globalization WILL lead to World Domination unlike anything in scope and reach as well as consequence the USSR was ever able to imagine. This is pure Evil and where will Russia stand? Will she choose to be the lone majority with the only lit candle? Will she succumb to this higher intelligence, evil as it is or will she, in defiance and in pursuit of true freedom, long sought after, lash out to destroy this coming darkness in the face of current and ongoing demonization that will never ever end? Will Russia bow and apoligize to Dick Cheney for daring to come to the defense of lowly citizens that are of no consequence? Will Dick Cheney destroy Russia as promised and what will happen to Russia when he succeeds? Will Russia then apologize?
The point being, RT need not play politics now or ever. Provide the story as is and shine the beacon as an ensign of plain truth. Can Russia do this? Can Russia give it's citizens more freedoms as the west takes freedoms away? Do you see how things are being turned upsided down and in an effort to HARMonize and restrict human freedoms, Russia needs to fall into line...will she?
In the end the choice is yours.
- Sevodnya_Net August 17, 2008, 17:44
- "The best place they can go is Iceland."
Or Sky TV!!!!!! LOL (twice)
- Nick August 16, 2008, 01:03
- This comment has just been censored on CNN and my previous comments censored by BBC. What a truly democratic and independent press! Although the latter published an article that shed some light on Russian point of view few hours ago.
The morale is Russia should establish more weighty position in media and utilize the Internet to reach more people and not let them see only one side of the problem that is beneficial for selfish ends of certain politics on the West.
In fact what we see mostly in western media is reflection of an extremely narrow point of view that is being presented by Georgian government and being backed up by the current US administration. In fact Georgia began a brutal attacks on innocent people of South Ossetia soon before the beginning of Olympic games thus provoking Russia to respond by protecting the population of Ossetia according to existing arrangements which de facto being independend from Georgia for which majority of its people voted. In case we talk about democracy why mostly one point of view is circulating in western media esp. US? Why Russian channels and Internet domains are blocked in Georgia? Why is it allowed for current Georgian leaders to kill innocent people of Ossetian ethnic group which voted and in fact are outside their control? Why does US have their instructors trained Georgian military and supplied weapons? Who and how is going to benefit from trying to destabilize Russia returning influence in the world? I ve been in US recently and listened to one of your presidential election candidate who talked about really important matters such as innovation in energy and other peaceful affairs it was really nice to here it. But when we Russians have to see all that nasty lies about invasion commited by out contry it is getting a bit annoying that real and good American people can become confused about what real facts are. The real facts is that current leaders are seeking ways to destabilize situation in the world, reinforce confrontations, protect family business etc which in their own interests not in interests of the US and the rest of the world. So I believe as adequate, peaceful-minded and innovative government is elected things will settle down in the world and all contries will benefit from mutual peaceful collaborations and those who commited crime will be legally punished as they deserve it and not allowed to come to power anymore.
- Jake August 15, 2008, 20:29
- Russia is very favorable for "journalists" such as those at RT, who will write only pro-Russki propaganda. Such is the situation in autocracies.
As for real journalists, forget it. The best place they can go is Iceland.
- William August 11, 2008, 22:48
- I suppose it's favourable if you print the "right" thing and unfavourable if you don't.....simple!
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