DISINFO: Russian media is more independent than its American counterpart
SUMMARY
It has been the practice in the White House to invite representatives of the US media, and to give them some “advice” about what to focus on and what to neglect. In Moscow there is no such tradition, and any journalist or analyst has the right to write whatever they want.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Western media not being independent and biased while Russia protects freedom of speech and the press. Contrary to the claim, the Kremlin organises regular briefings with the leading media outlets to hand out instructions on how to write and about what.
According to the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, Russia is in 149th place out of 180 countries. On the other hand, the US according to the same index, ranks in 45th place.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 83 journalists and media representatives have been killed in Russia since 1993. Out of them, 38 have been murdered directly for being engaged in investigative journalism related to corruption, politics, and human rights violations. According to the report, the murders can be traced to the Government.
According to Reporters Without Borders, pressure on the independent media, blocking websites, and draconian laws became even more severe in the last years. Leading independent news outlets either ended up in the governmental control or were shut down under suspicious circumstances.
See similar cases that journalism is free in Russia, that unlike the West, Russia is the most liberal country where everyone has the opportunity to speak, and that there is no restriction of foreign media in Russia.