From a D.C. studio to an indictment: How a Russia-funded media outlet seeded propaganda in the U.S.
In mid-December 2005, back when U.S.-Russia relations remained on relatively friendly terms, a new media channel called Russia Today began broadcasting English-language news.
In mid-December 2005, back when U.S.-Russia relations remained on relatively friendly terms, a new media channel called Russia Today began broadcasting English-language news.
There’s little that can be easily found about that occasion. A short article on the website of one of Russia’s state-owned news outlets, RIA Novosti, remains online.
“It’s a very good start,” Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying of Russia Today at the time. “It’s a convincing start. I’m sure the company will be developing.”
And develop it did. In subsequent years, Russia Today would rebrand to RT, expand into other languages, and even open a studio in Washington, D.C. in 2010. As Russia’s primary English-language voice around the world, the operation would eventually be available on TV to more than 100 million viewers in the U.S. and Europe, launch ad blitzes in the U.K. and even hire American journalists. The organization’s news coverage focused on culture war stories that took a divisive angle toward American politics, gaining viewership over the years through social media platforms like YouTube and X, where it still has over 3 million followers.
Generally regarded with skepticism by media watchers in terms of its impact, it appeared to be a relatively benign operation in its early years, one that offered a reminder of Russia’s ongoing efforts to frame the world through its lens. And, after all, Russia wasn’t quite the opponent it had been decades prior.
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