Around 70% of the Russian population believes Putin is doing the right thing, according to the Moscow-based Levada Center, an independent pollster in Russia. This is largely thanks to how traditional
state-run TV media in Russia is portraying that message.
Many of these TV viewers are older and poorer Russian citizens who have few options or desire to find other news media platforms, according
to U.S.-based analysts of Russia.
This comes as no surprise where Russian state TV networks have broadcast video footage and news content that, according to reports, portrays much less
violence and destruction than is actually occurring in the Ukraine.
Instead, those networks are showing Russian military advances, according to The Intercept. At the same time, state
television has aired content segments from Fox News Channel's "Tucker Carlson Tonight." Carlson has praised President Vladimir Putin.
What about the other 30% of Russians? Many are likely to
be younger and more well-off citizens who continue to find other ways to digitally access more factual, truth-based news.
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Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has instituted strict
guidelines as to what news can be broadcast by any network in Russia. Before this -- and for some time -- Russia had allowed independent, Russian-based networks to air more fact-based versions of the
news. With regard to digital media, Russia has restricted access to the likes of Meta-owned Facebook (blocked on March 4) and there is limited access to Twitter.
TV Watch spoke to
teenage Russian students in Los Angeles last week who said that despite the Russian restrictions on news, there are still ways to find out what is really going on in the country -- primarily through
VPNs (virtual private networks).
VPNs can allow users to access some of the websites and services that are blocked or restricted.
Younger media consumers globally have always had
greater resources and ability to seek restricted alternative news sources. But this capability is not limited to this specific demographic.
Wealthier Russian citizens are also more likely to
do this -- and some have left the country. And all those even wealthier Russian Oligarchs? They are ahead of the curve here. For years, they have had homes in many territories outside of Russia. That
said, sanctions may put the kibosh on big, shiny personal possessions.
Certainly, if Russia -- or any country -- wanted to stifle and steer the media 20 years ago, it was an easier task. Now,
with 24/7 coverage from global TV networks, that becomes much more challenging. Global digital media networks now -- including social media platforms -- even amidst all the controversy around the
accuracy of news content -- are making news available to more people worldwide.
But many issues arise. Some social media platforms have had to delete messaging and accounts due to posts by
users who sent around video of previous Russian attacks -- especially some footage of similar destruction of Chechnya in February 2000 -- portraying it as what is happening in the Ukraine now.
So, when it comes to news that can be trusted, can we take some bad (false news) with hopefully much more good (the facts? The bottom line is that it means more work for all of us to get to the
truth.