The “media war” between the United States and Russia, unfolding over the past month or so, may not subside anytime soon.
It all began when the US Justice Department announced in September that the Russian channel RT should be registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (1939).
That law requires that agents representing the interests of foreign powers in a “political or quasi-political capacity” should disclose their relationship with the foreign government and information regarding their activities and finances. The legislation aims to facilitate “evaluation by the government and the American people of the statements and activities of such persons.”
The law was originally enacted as a firewall against Nazi propaganda but has been selectively targeted at countries the US has regarded as adversaries (such as the former Soviet Union).
In recent decades, it has been finessed in order to bring to account lobbyists for foreign countries – a sort of chemotherapy to hunt down cancerous cells in the sub-soil. For the first time, post-Soviet Russia has been targeted, underscoring the two nations’ adversarial relationship.
Moscow warned of reciprocal measures but Washington was adamant – and, finally, RT (which indeed draws government funding) did register itself as ‘foreign agent’ by the prescribed deadline on November 13.
Moscow promptly retaliated by enacting a law similar to the 80-year old FARA, and put the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe & Liberty on notice. Cue a chorus in western media that the Kremlin had curbed freedom of information in Russia.
America’s stance reflects more a growing sense of insecurity and anxiety in its present state of civil war
The US Congress took matters a step further this week by withdrawing RT’s accreditation to cover Capitol Hill. RT can no longer report first-hand on the shenanigans of American lawmakers.
The Kremlin said it was “extremely disappointed” and predicted there would be an “emotional response” from Russian lawmakers. The speaker of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, said it is mulling over “symmetrical measures”.
On a visit to Rome, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, gave a more ambiguous response, however: “We have been studying the situation… I’m convinced that it’s absolutely unacceptable for any more or less respectable, civilized country. I cannot say now what our answer will be, but I really would not want to join a race of bans, which will harm the media as well as those people who get information from the media about what’s happening in the world.”
Lavrov is a veteran war-horse. Having lived and worked for decades both as a Soviet and post-Soviet diplomat in the US, he probably senses that this war is unlike those in Syria or Afghanistan. Washington is intentionally provoking Moscow, incrementally forcing RT to retreat to Eurasia.
It is an unequal war. Even if the Russians were to dump the VOA and RFERL into the Barents Sea, no serious harm would come to American interests.
Moreover, Russians no longer depend on VOA or RFERL for “alt” news. Such US propaganda falls on deaf years. President Putin’s popularity is soaring above 80%. He only needs to announce his candidacy in the March election. It’s a done thing.
By contrast, RT hits the US establishment where it really hurts. The amazing thing about RT is that it uses not only American source materials but Soviet-era American media techniques. RT simply holds a mirror to American society, its economy, politics, culture and sports. And the image Americans see reflected back is at once intellectually stimulating and emotionally impactful. The grim message sinks in.
RT vividly brings out the violence in American society, its racial discrimination and callousness toward poverty and “losers,” along with the venality and decadence in American public life. Unlike during the Soviet era, when the Kremlin stymied media freedom and creativity and churned out third-rate propaganda that bordered on the comical, RT is classy.
It has highly professional staff who can match any first-rate western media organization in terms of intellect, erudition or sophistication. And it has not a care in the world about funding. Unsurprisingly, RT has gone from strength to strength in the 12 years since its founding, winning the trust and confidence of global audiences, especially western ones. Suffice to say, Moscow’s strategic interest lies in RT living and thriving in America’s fertile soil.
On a philosophical note, isn’t it sad that things have come to such a sorry pass – a country that boasts the Statue of Liberty being in reality so intolerant? This may not be just a matter of intolerance, however. Paranoia could be the word.
America’s stance reflects more a growing sense of insecurity and anxiety in its present state of civil war, with the elites tearing each other apart and the superpower retreating, inexorably, from the world stage. Fundamentally, RT threatens the country’s morale and self-esteem.
That’s like waiting for Congress and the Federal Reserve to register.
Michael Klopman – that’s Lindsey Graham’s diversion tactic — he should be wondering if he himself should register.
Another insightful article by M.K. Bhadrakumar.
RT anchors and producers as a group have overwhelmingly outclassed those at CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX in journalism. Moreover, some female RT anchors have outshined their counterparts in the puppet media in terms of physical attractiveness and polish. Throw their accent-free American or British English, it’s a full-spectrum dominance in presentation and substance, despite its relatively modest financial resources.
The irony is that RT has been a blessing to the American public, while at the same time a threat to the US establishment. It’s sad that many Americans still haven’t realized how long and how extensively they have been lied to by the US mainstream media.
Oh dear.. Russian propaganda more credible than American facts.
Yes! Speak truth to power! the leaders who are really secure are xi jinping and vladimir putin! they would never censor content. they are truely not afraid of what criticism from media would mean to their popularity. putin has an 80% approval rate BECAUSE OF an unflinchingly critical russian press that investigates thouroughly. God bless this article…
Back in the Cold War they blocked our stuff but we didn’t care about theirs. Today it’s the other way round. Pretty easy to figure out who’s afraid that its population might hear something incomfomfortable for its rulers.
CNN’s leaving the Cleveland story alone because there are too many poor whites still living there.
The (((corporate))) media will push "dark underbelly" stories if there’s an anti-white angle to be exploited. Without fail.
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Throwing "fascist" around with mindless abandon might have bought you some street cred back in the day. Now, you might want to think twice about it, if looking foolish isn’t your thing.
"Anti-Semite" Vlad is quite chummy with the Hasidim in Russia.
Probably because they share his social conservatism and ambivalent attitude towards Israel. Also because they’re canny political types, like their US counterparts.
Ram Nath A lot of what the aauthor is raising here are right on the money about Trump. He maybe dumb himself but he has some of the most vicious social engeniiring agencies and individuaals who help to create a Hitler out of trump. The core of trump supporters want an American racist nationalist dictator who is of European descent (white) christian and who portrays authoritorian anti immigrant, anti women, anti intellect and anti science tendencies.
So when the intellectuals and technologists leave because America is headed for civil war, what will the hot headed war mongering fascists do to stop the mass brain drain exodus? Go to war perhaps but then there they will face equally strong powers like Russia and China.
Russia as a vast nation with vast posibilities should work hard to provide firtile ground for the glob’s creative minds that made America what she once was.
Young America stopped an immoral war not because it was immoral, but because they were asked to fight it and die in it. Since the US armed forces have become professional, those young Americans – who no longer are drafted – couldn’t care less about the immorality of American wars. American wars are immoral because the US is an immoral country which thrives on violence.
I agree RT has been a breath of fresh air in America since there are little to non TV coverage rivaling RT’s sophistication and eloquence.
Many of the hosts of programs on RT formerly worked for the US corporate media and were fired for their political views, especially about the Iraq war. There is no "pro-Russia" propaganda, but much about the dark underbelly of US society that the corporate media will not touch. For example, there was just recently a program about poor people in Cleveland forced to sell their blood plasma to exist. You don’t hear about this on CNN. They are too busy flogging the "Russia threat".
Bk is right that Russia is bringing a knife to a gun fight here. The US/Western propaganda apparatus is far to deep and sophisticated to be harmed in the way the Duma is proposing.
Note also that the head of Google said that the company is looking for ways to downgrade RT’s articles in its search engine.
Still waiting for AIPAC to register.
Well said !!!!
Trump is an often foolish leader firmly checked by a democratic American system of laws. Xi Jinpimp is a totalitarian racist and fascist dictator on whom there are no checks and balances. So Patten’s comparison does not stand.
Agreed. Trump is an often foolish leader limited firmly by a democratic American system. Xi Jinpimp is a totalitarian racist and fascist dictator on whom there are no checks and balances. So Patten’s comparison does not stand.
Welcome USA to the world of dictatorship !! I have see the USA change in last 60 years and am sad..the current generation will grow up in a world of deprivation by the rich. Wake up young America, remember the Vietnam era when you stopped an immoral war.
Should be ‘freedom of press’ – typo by the iPad.
Anyone still saying that there is freedom of ores and no censorship in America! Nit that it matters with eNews or digital media on the internet. But soon even the internet will be ‘tamed’ or should I say censored out stymied by the various superpowers.