| Please don't put CNN/MSNBC/Fox in the same camp as RT, or Chinese state sponsored news. That's not fair. This is not a situation of moral relativity. CNN, even Fox, are actually very independent news outlets. Their news is news. (Especially the non-editorial stuff, is usually above bar) On some, mainly political issues, they are biased. On some national issues, they 'close ranks'. But they are not propaganda outlets. RT is absolutely propaganda outlet. RT is an organ of the Russian state, created specifically to promote Russian interest abroad, and to serve as a mouthpiece for the government, specifically Putin. Trump has friends in Fox News, but quite a number of haters; many popular folks there disagree with him quite loudly, a lot. Trump has no friends in most of the rest of the press, and there's no opportunity for him to set the agenda directly for example. RT was designed so that Putin could create the narrative he chooses, and to oppress any opposition to his regime, or the state. Even the BBC/CBC etc. have quite a degree of independence from state organs. They have obvious political leanings in many situations, and surely will work with the state on some issues, but they are in many ways 'more independant' because they don't have to survive on click-bait. |