An American journalist based in the Washington D.C. office of the Russian-funded Russia Today network quit during a live broadcast last night, bringing to light the fact that the network has actively been censoring criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Liz Wahl cited “ethical and moral challenges” at Russia Today as the major motivation for her resignation during the broadcast, accusing the network of “promoting a Putinist agenda” and aligning its interests with those of Moscow.
“I’m proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth,” she said, “and that is why, after this newscast, I’m resigning.” “I cannot be part of a network funded by the Russian government that whitewashes the actions of Putin.”
Wahl told Anderson Cooper in her first interview since resigning Wednesday night that portions of her interviews regarding the current crisis in Ukraine were being cut out and altered to protect Russian interests.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“I felt that I could no longer work here and go on television and tell the American people that this is what’s happening and have it pose as news,” she said. “It’s something that I don’t feel comfortable with.”
Early this morning, Russia Today released a statement in response to the video, which is approaching a half million views on YouTube:
When a journalist disagrees with the editorial position of his or her organization, the usual course of action is to address those grievances with the editor, and, if they cannot be resolved, to quit like a professional. But when someone makes a big public show of a personal decision, it is nothing more than a self-promotional stunt. We wish Liz the best of luck on her chosen path.
Late last year, Russia Today kicked gay reporter Jamie Kirchick off the air for wearing rainbow suspenders and discussing Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws. Afterward, they ordered a taxi to leave him on the side of the road on the way to the airport.
Keep it cute, RT!
Vartan X.
We can hate Russia for their anti-gay laws all we want, but Russia is not doing anything wrong by sending troops to defend ethnic Russians after a violent right-wing ultra-nationalist coup in Kiev. Besides, if the west believes that people have a right to self-determination, then it’s perfectly acceptable for Crimea, where 90% of population are ethnic Russians, to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Obviously, the West will support any separatist movement in the world, including Islamic terrorists, as long as it doesn’t benefit Russia. The Cold War mentality, both in the West and Russia, hasn’t changed a bit after the fall of Soviet Union. Sad.
enfilmigult
@Vartan X.: Wait a second. When you say “we,” who do you mean? Few Americans refer to their country as “the West,” is why I ask.
MK Ultra
@Vartan X.: What about the Ultra right nationalists that are allowed to operate with immunity in Russia?
Vartan X.
@enfilmigult: NATO and EU countries
@MK Ultra: I am not aware of any far right group that operates with immunity in Russia. However, there were blatant cases of wrist slaps given to individuals convicted of racially motivated hate crimes.
Kieran
The American corporate media wasn’t much better in the run-up to the United States invasion of the sovereign nation of Iraq.
Phil Donahue’s MSNBC program (the highest rated MSNBC show at the time) was yanked off the airwaves in the run up to the war because Donahue refused his bosses directions to tone down his anti-Iraq War commentary.
MK Ultra
@Vartan X.: Oh, so the Nazis that hunt gays then post videos of their crimes, with their faces visible, easily identifiable, unpunished, don’t operate with immunity?
Russia naming anyone “Nazis” is as ridiculous as the hypocrisy some see in the American media.
But I forgot, only America is evil. Russia is trustworthy, and their media is trustworthy, and surely they never spy on their citizens…
Harley
@MK Ultra: No. They NEVER spy on their citizens, or tourists, or have “video showing reporters turning shower heads out word in hotel room bathrooms in Sochi” causing damage to the rooms.
Vartan X.
@MK Ultra: I don’t think I ever denied Russia’s anti-gay problem. The issue here is how the West, under guidance of the United States, claims to support freedom and democracy around the world, and then turns around and supports criminals, thugs, and terrorists just to counter Russia. We’ve seen that in Afghanistan, Serbia, Syria, Iraq, Chile, etc. It’s a typical Cold War mindset, a relic of the past. Besides, I don’t see how supporting Ukrainian nationalists, who aren’t exactly champions of gays rights either, helps solve the problem of homophobia in Russia or elsewhere in Eastern Europe. The American government continuously backs tyrants and thugs with horrible human rights violations.
Cam
@Vartan X.:
Nice try, but “Defending Ethnic Germans” was the same excuse that the Natzi’s used. Oh and by the way, funny that you say it’s ok for Russia to send in troops, because that contradicts with Putin who just claimed that Russia has no troops in Ukraine and that the ones in there are fake and just bought phony Russian uniforms.
I guess if you are going to defend Russia’s actions you had better figure out which lie you are supporting.
By the way, Along Russia’s boarder with China, there are millions of Asians. I guess you also think it’s ok for China to invade Russia to “Protect Ethnic Chinese”.
We’ll make sure to let China know.
Kieran
Russia has been a strong supporter of the government of Syria that the US neocons want to see toppled. Russia infuriated the neocons by refusing to go along with their plans for the US to “shock and awe” Syria. The Russians have irritated the neocons by persistently seeking a peaceful resolution to the nuclear stand-off with Iran. For this, Putin is now suddenly the new Hitler and Russia must be severely punished with Western sanctions.
Cam
@Kieran:
Would that be the same Syria that invaded Lebanon turning it into a puppet state? Or the same Syria that gassed it’s own folks?
I frankly think we should stay completely out of it, but lets not pretend that Putin is any kind of champion for stability.
MK Ultra
@Vartan X.: “The American government continuously backs tyrants and thugs with horrible human rights violations.”
And Russia is a tyrant government with horrible human rights violations, and Russia also backs similar regimes.
Sorry, but no matter how hard to try to push the pro-Russian point, Russia is JUST AS DIRTY as America, if not dirtier.
MK Ultra
@Vartan X.: “: I don’t think I ever denied Russia’s anti-gay problem”
Russia has a RIGHT WING NATIONALIST NAZI problem with gay rights. Remember, how earlier in this thread you made the ridiculous claim that NO NAZI GROUPS IN RUSSIA OPERATE WITH IMMUNITY.
It’s convenient of you to try to brush over the connection between Russia’s immune nationalist nazi groups and their connection with the anti gay laws, but exaggerate “Ukrainian neo nazis”.
Typical pro-Russian propaganda….
Chris
Good for her.
Vartan X.
My reply went into a limbo of ‘awaiting moderation’.
Anyhow, I am not pro-Russian. Pointing out the American hypocrisy in foreign policy doesn’t make you pro-whatever. I get an impression I am talking to the wall here. Otherwise, you sound like a Republican who dismisses an anti-war point of view as being pro-terrorist. Black-and-white mentality is detrimental to your health. 😉
@Cam:
Sure. If the Chinese form a solid majority in Russia’s Asian regions, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed to breakaway from Russia in a peaceful democratic manner and join China. I support people’s right to self-determination ANYWHERE in the world, not just the places you like or places that American government likes.
lorwett
American government just can’t live without putting its nose in others business. They feed lies to Americans to justify inadequate external policy and people are all to happy to believe! Even complete dumb*sses could see – they doing it to divert attention from internal national problems.
Can’t you see that AMERICANS DON’T HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DICTATE THE WORLD HOW TO LIVE!
And about “Ukrainian neo nazis”.. I was in Lviv a couple of years ago and you know what? To get to railroad station I had to ask for help on English – because they simply PRETEND YOU DON’T EXIST IF YOU SPEAK RUSSIAN! And who the hell knows why they set up a monuments to fascist soldiers and destroy monuments of soviet soldiers’!!! It’s their past too, how could they betray it?!!!
My mother is from Ukraine and I have a lot of relatives there in Donetsk and Crimea and they don’t want to be a part of “NEW UKRAINE” – because no country should be ruled by blind hatred and nationalism. I’d say that your president didn’t know better, but I’m afraid he only interested in putting American military devices near Russian borders.
Now, who is aggressors again??