US Gov’t War on RT: Imperial Media ‘Truth’ Monopoly Threatens Press DiversityTAKING THE MICKEY: RT UK billboard campaign on London Underground pokes fun at US-led Russiagate campaign of hysteria.Philip Giraldi Unz ReviewSomehow everything keeps coming back around to Russia. In one of its recent initiatives, the Justice Department (DOJ) appears to be attacking the First Amendment as part of the apparent bipartisan program to make Vladimir Putin the fall guy for everything that goes wrong in Washington. In the past month, the DOJ has revealed that the FBI is investigating Russian owned news outlets Sputnik News and RT International and has sent letters to the latter demanding that one of its business affiliates register as a foreign agent by October 17th. The apparent line of inquiry that the Bureau is pursuing is that both are agencies of the Russian government and that both have been spreading disinformation that is intended to discredit the United States government and its institutions. This alleged action would make them, in the DOJ view, a propaganda arm of a foreign government rather than a news service. It also makes them subject to Department of the Treasury oversight under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.Sputnik, which is owned by a Russian government media group headed by Putin consigliere Dimitri Kiselyov, has been under investigation due to the accusations made by a fired broadcaster named Andrew Feinberg. Feinberg, the former Sputnik White House correspondent, reportedly took with him a thumb drive containing some thousands of internal business files when he left his office. He has been interviewed by the FBI, has turned over his documents, and has claimed that much of the direction over what the network covered came from Moscow.RT America, more television oriented than Sputnik, operates through two business entities: RTTV America and RTTV Studios. The Department of Justice has refused to identify which of the businesses has been targeted by a letter calling for registration under FARA, but it is believed to be RTTV America, which provides both operational support of the broadcasting as well as the production facilities. Both companies are actually owned by Russian-American businessman Alex Yazlovsky, though the funding for them presumably comes from the Russian government.I have noticed very little pushback in the U.S. mainstream and alternative media regarding the Department of Justice moves, presumably because there is a broad consensus that the Russians have been interfering in our  democracy  and have had it coming. If that assumption on my part is correct, the silence over the issue reflects a certain na vete while also constituting a near perfect example of a pervasive tunnel vision that obscures the significant collateral damage that might be forthcoming.News organizations are normally considered to be exempt from the requirements of FARA. The Department of Justice action against the two Russian major media outlets is unprecedented insofar as I could determine. Even Qatar owned al-Jazeera, which was so vilified during the early stages of the Afghan War that it had its Kabul offices bombed by the U.S., did not have to register under FARA, was permitted to operate freely, and was even allowed to buy a television channel license for its American operations.The DOJ is in effect saying that RT and Sputnik are nothing more than propaganda organs and do not qualify as journalism. I would have to disagree if one goes by the standards of contemporary journalism in the United States. America s self-described  newspapers of record  the New York Times and the Washington Post pretend that they have a lock on stories that are  true.  The Post has adopted the slogan  Democracy Dies in Darkness  while the Times proclaims  The truth is more important now than ever,  but anyone who has read either paper regularly for the past year knows perfectly well that they have been as often as not leading propaganda organs for Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party, pushing a particular agenda and denigrating Donald Trump. They differ little from the admittedly biased television news reporting provided by Fox News and MSNBC.What exactly did the Russians do? According to last January s report signed off on by the FBI, CIA and NSA, which may have motivated the DOJ to take action, RT and Sputnik  consistently cast President-elect Trump as the target of unfair coverage from traditional U.S. media outlets that they claimed were subservient to a corrupt political establishment.  Well, they certainly got that one right and did better in their reporting of what was going on among the American public than either the Washington Post or New York Times.Regarding Sputnik, Feinberg claimed inter alia that he was  pushed  to ask questions at White House press briefings suggesting that Syria s Bashar al-Assad was not responsible for some of the chemical attacks that had taken place. One wonders at Feinberg s reluctance as Sputnik and RT were not the only ones expressing skepticism over the claims of Syrian involvement, which have been widely debunked. And why is expressing a credible alternative view on an event in Syria even regarded as propaganda damaging to the American public?There is a difficult to distinguish line between FARA restricted  trying to influence opinion  using what is regarded a fake news and propaganda and legitimate journalism reporting stories where the  facts  have been challenged. Even real journalists choose to cover stories selectively, inevitably producing a certain narrative for the viewer, listener or reader. All news services do that to a greater or lesser extent.I have considerable personal experience of RT in particular and, to a lesser extent, with Sputnik. I also know many others who have been interviewed by one or both. No one who has done so has ever been coached or urged to follow a particular line or support a specific position insofar as I know. Nor do I know anyone who has actually been paid to appear. Most of us who are interviewed are appreciative of the fact that we are allowed to air views that are essentially banned on the mainstream media to include critique of maladroit policies in places like Syria and Afghanistan and biting critiques of the war on terror.Sputnik, in my opinion, does, however, lean heavily towards stories that are critical of the United States and its policies, while RT has a global reach and is much more balanced in what it covers. For sure, it too criticizes U.S. policies and is protective of the Russian government, but it does not substantially differ from other national news services that I have had done interviews for. I find as much uniquely generated negative reporting about the U.S. (usually linked to violence or guns) on BBC World News, France24 and Deutsche Welle as I do on RT International. To describe it as part of an  influence campaign  driven by a  state-run propaganda machine  has a kernel of truth but it is nevertheless a bit of a stretch since one could make the same claims about any government financed news service, including Voice of America. Governments only get into broadcasting to promote their points of view, not to inform the public.There is a serious problem in the threats to use FARA as it could advance the ongoing erosion of freedom of the press in the United States by establishing the precedent that a foreign news services that is critical of the U.S. will no longer be tolerated. It is also hypocritical in that countries like Israel that interfere regularly in American politics are exempt from FARA registration because no one dares to take such a step, while Russia is fair game.Going after news outlets also invites retaliation against U.S. media operating in Russia and, eventually, elsewhere. Currently Western media reports from Russia pretty much without being censored or pressured to avoid certain stories. I would note a recent series that appeared on CBS featuring the repulsive Stephen Colbert spending a week in Russia which mercilessly lampooned both the country and its government. No one arrested him or made him stop filming. No one claimed that he was trying to undermine the Russian government or discredit the country s institutions, even though that is precisely what he was doing.And then there is the issue of the  threat  posed by news media outlets like RT and Sputnik. Even combined the two services have limited access to the U.S. market, with a 2014 study suggesting that they have only 2.8 million actual weekly viewers. RT did not make the cut and is not included on the list of 100 most popular television channels in the U.S. and it has far less market penetration than other foreign news services like the BBC. It can be found on only a limited number of cable networks in a few, mostly urban areas. It does better in Europe, but its profile in the U.S. market is miniscule. As even bad news is good news in terms of selling a product, it probably did receive higher ratings when the intelligence agency report slamming it came out on it in January. Everyone probably wanted to learn what RT was all about.So it seems to me that the United States  moves against RT and Sputnik are little more than lashing out at a problem that is not really a problem in a bid to again promote the Russian  threat  to explain the ongoing dysfunction that prevails in America s democratic process. One keeps reading or hearing how the American government has  indisputable  proof of Moscow s intentions to subvert democracy in the U.S. as well as in Europe but the actual evidence is still elusive. Will Russiagate end with a bang or a whimper? No one seems to know.***READ MORE RUSSIAGATE NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Russiagate FilesSUPPORT 21WIRE  SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER @ 21WIRE.TVUS_News
us gov war rt imperial media truth monopoly threatens press diversitytaking the mickey rt uk billboard campaign london underground poker fun russiagate campaign gerald und reviewsomehow everything keeps coming back around russia in one recent initiatives justice department doj appears attacking first amendment part apparent bipartisan program make vladimir putin fall guy everything goes wrong washington in past month doj revealed fbi investigating russian owned news outlets sputnik news rt international sent letters latter demanding one business affiliates register foreign agent october the apparent line inquiry bureau pursuing agencies russian government spreading disinformation intended discredit united states government institutions this alleged action would make doj view propaganda arm foreign government rather news service it also makes subject department treasury oversight foreign agents registration act owned russian government media group headed putin consigliere dimitri kiselyov investigation due accusations made fired broadcaster named andrew feinberg feinberg former sputnik white house correspondent reportedly took thumb drive containing thousands internal business files left office he interviewed fbi turned documents claimed much direction network covered came america television oriented sputnik operates two business entities rtv america rtv studios the department justice refused identify businesses targeted letter calling registration far believed rtv america provides operational support broadcasting well production facilities both companies actually owned businessman alex yazlovsky though funding presumably comes russian noticed little pushback mainstream alternative media regarding department justice moves presumably broad consensus russian interfering democracy coming if assumption part correct silence issue reflects certain na vote also constituting near perfect example pervasive tunnel vision obscure significant collateral damage might organizations normally considered exempt requirements far the department justice action two russian major media outlets unprecedented insofar i could determine even qatar owned verified early stages afghan war kabul offices bombed register far permitted operate freely even allowed buy television channel license american doj effect saying rt sputnik nothing propaganda organs qualify journalism i would disagree one goes standards contemporary journalism united states america newspapers record new york times washington post pretend lock stories true the post adopted slogan democracy dies darkness times proclaims the truth important ever anyone read either paper regularly past year knows perfectly well often leading propaganda organs hillary clinton democratic party pushing particular agenda designating donald trump they differ little admittedly biased television news reporting provided fox news exactly russian according last january report signed fbi cia nsa may motivated doj take action rt sputnik consistently cast trump target unfair coverage traditional media outlets claimed subservient corrupt political establishment well certainly got one right better reporting going among american public either washington post new york sputnik feinberg claimed inter alia pushed ask questions white house press briefings suggesting syria basal responsible chemical attacks taken place one wonders feinberg reluctance sputnik rt ones expressing skepticism claims syrian involvement widely debunked and expressing credible alternative view event syria even regarded propaganda damaging american public there difficult distinguish line far restricted trying influence opinion using regarded fake news propaganda legitimate journalism reporting stories facts challenged even real journalists choose cover stories selectively inevitably producing certain narrative viewer listener reader all news services greater lesser considerable personal experience rt particular lesser extent sputnik i also know many others interviewed one no one done ever coached urged follow particular line support specific position insofar i know nor i know anyone actually paid appear most us interviewed appreciative fact allowed air views essentially banned mainstream media include critique maladroit policies places like syria afghanistan biting critiques war opinion however lean heavily towards stories critical united states policies rt global reach much balanced covers for sure criticizes policies protective russian government substantially differ national news services i done interviews i find much uniquely generated negative reporting usually linked violence guns bbc world news deutsche well i rt international to describe part influence campaign driven propaganda machine kernel truth nevertheless bit stretch since one could make claims government financed news service including voice america governments get broadcasting promote points view inform serious problem threats use far could advance ongoing erosion freedom press united states establishing precedent foreign news services critical longer tolerated it also hypocritical countries like israel interfere regularly american politics exempt far registration one dares take step russia fair news outlets also invites retaliation media operating russia eventually elsewhere currently western media reports russia pretty much without censored pressured avoid certain stories i would note recent series appeared cbs featuring repulsive stephen colbert spending week russia mercilessly lampooned country government no one arrested made stop filming no one claimed trying undermine russian government discredit country institutions even though precisely issue threat posed news media outlets like rt sputnik even combined two services limited access market study suggesting million actual weekly viewers rt make cut included list popular television channels far less market penetration foreign news services like bbc it found limited number cable networks mostly urban areas it better europe profile market minuscule as even bad news good news terms selling product probably receive higher ratings intelligence agency report spamming came january everyone probably wanted learn rt seems united states moves rt sputnik little lasting problem really problem bid promote russian threat explain ongoing dysfunction prevails america democratic process one keeps reading hearing american government indisputable proof moscow intentions subvert democracy well europe actual evidence still elusive will russiagate end bang whisper no one seems know read more russiagate news at century wire russiagate filessupport subscribe become a member
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: US Gov’t War on RT: Imperial Media ‘Truth’ Monopoly Threatens Press DiversityTAKING THE MICKEY: RT UK billboard campaign on London Underground pokes fun at US-led Russiagate campaign of hysteria.Philip Giraldi Unz ReviewSomehow everything keeps coming back around to Russia. In one of its recent initiatives, the Justice Department (DOJ) appears to be attacking the First Amendment as part of the apparent bipartisan program to make Vladimir Putin the fall guy for everything that goes wrong in Washington. In the past month, the DOJ has revealed that the FBI is investigating Russian owned news outlets Sputnik News and RT International and has sent letters to the latter demanding that one of its business affiliates register as a foreign agent by October 17th. The apparent line of inquiry that the Bureau is pursuing is that both are agencies of the Russian government and that both have been spreading disinformation that is intended to discredit the United States government and its institutions. This alleged action would make them, in the DOJ view, a propaganda arm of a foreign government rather than a news service. It also makes them subject to Department of the Treasury oversight under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.Sputnik, which is owned by a Russian government media group headed by Putin consigliere Dimitri Kiselyov, has been under investigation due to the accusations made by a fired broadcaster named Andrew Feinberg. Feinberg, the former Sputnik White House correspondent, reportedly took with him a thumb drive containing some thousands of internal business files when he left his office. He has been interviewed by the FBI, has turned over his documents, and has claimed that much of the direction over what the network covered came from Moscow.RT America, more television oriented than Sputnik, operates through two business entities: RTTV America and RTTV Studios. The Department of Justice has refused to identify which of the businesses has been targeted by a letter calling for registration under FARA, but it is believed to be RTTV America, which provides both operational support of the broadcasting as well as the production facilities. Both companies are actually owned by Russian-American businessman Alex Yazlovsky, though the funding for them presumably comes from the Russian government.I have noticed very little pushback in the U.S. mainstream and alternative media regarding the Department of Justice moves, presumably because there is a broad consensus that the Russians have been interfering in our  democracy  and have had it coming. If that assumption on my part is correct, the silence over the issue reflects a certain na vete while also constituting a near perfect example of a pervasive tunnel vision that obscures the significant collateral damage that might be forthcoming.News organizations are normally considered to be exempt from the requirements of FARA. The Department of Justice action against the two Russian major media outlets is unprecedented insofar as I could determine. Even Qatar owned al-Jazeera, which was so vilified during the early stages of the Afghan War that it had its Kabul offices bombed by the U.S., did not have to register under FARA, was permitted to operate freely, and was even allowed to buy a television channel license for its American operations.The DOJ is in effect saying that RT and Sputnik are nothing more than propaganda organs and do not qualify as journalism. I would have to disagree if one goes by the standards of contemporary journalism in the United States. America s self-described  newspapers of record  the New York Times and the Washington Post pretend that they have a lock on stories that are  true.  The Post has adopted the slogan  Democracy Dies in Darkness  while the Times proclaims  The truth is more important now than ever,  but anyone who has read either paper regularly for the past year knows perfectly well that they have been as often as not leading propaganda organs for Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party, pushing a particular agenda and denigrating Donald Trump. They differ little from the admittedly biased television news reporting provided by Fox News and MSNBC.What exactly did the Russians do? According to last January s report signed off on by the FBI, CIA and NSA, which may have motivated the DOJ to take action, RT and Sputnik  consistently cast President-elect Trump as the target of unfair coverage from traditional U.S. media outlets that they claimed were subservient to a corrupt political establishment.  Well, they certainly got that one right and did better in their reporting of what was going on among the American public than either the Washington Post or New York Times.Regarding Sputnik, Feinberg claimed inter alia that he was  pushed  to ask questions at White House press briefings suggesting that Syria s Bashar al-Assad was not responsible for some of the chemical attacks that had taken place. One wonders at Feinberg s reluctance as Sputnik and RT were not the only ones expressing skepticism over the claims of Syrian involvement, which have been widely debunked. And why is expressing a credible alternative view on an event in Syria even regarded as propaganda damaging to the American public?There is a difficult to distinguish line between FARA restricted  trying to influence opinion  using what is regarded a fake news and propaganda and legitimate journalism reporting stories where the  facts  have been challenged. Even real journalists choose to cover stories selectively, inevitably producing a certain narrative for the viewer, listener or reader. All news services do that to a greater or lesser extent.I have considerable personal experience of RT in particular and, to a lesser extent, with Sputnik. I also know many others who have been interviewed by one or both. No one who has done so has ever been coached or urged to follow a particular line or support a specific position insofar as I know. Nor do I know anyone who has actually been paid to appear. Most of us who are interviewed are appreciative of the fact that we are allowed to air views that are essentially banned on the mainstream media to include critique of maladroit policies in places like Syria and Afghanistan and biting critiques of the war on terror.Sputnik, in my opinion, does, however, lean heavily towards stories that are critical of the United States and its policies, while RT has a global reach and is much more balanced in what it covers. For sure, it too criticizes U.S. policies and is protective of the Russian government, but it does not substantially differ from other national news services that I have had done interviews for. I find as much uniquely generated negative reporting about the U.S. (usually linked to violence or guns) on BBC World News, France24 and Deutsche Welle as I do on RT International. To describe it as part of an  influence campaign  driven by a  state-run propaganda machine  has a kernel of truth but it is nevertheless a bit of a stretch since one could make the same claims about any government financed news service, including Voice of America. Governments only get into broadcasting to promote their points of view, not to inform the public.There is a serious problem in the threats to use FARA as it could advance the ongoing erosion of freedom of the press in the United States by establishing the precedent that a foreign news services that is critical of the U.S. will no longer be tolerated. It is also hypocritical in that countries like Israel that interfere regularly in American politics are exempt from FARA registration because no one dares to take such a step, while Russia is fair game.Going after news outlets also invites retaliation against U.S. media operating in Russia and, eventually, elsewhere. Currently Western media reports from Russia pretty much without being censored or pressured to avoid certain stories. I would note a recent series that appeared on CBS featuring the repulsive Stephen Colbert spending a week in Russia which mercilessly lampooned both the country and its government. No one arrested him or made him stop filming. No one claimed that he was trying to undermine the Russian government or discredit the country s institutions, even though that is precisely what he was doing.And then there is the issue of the  threat  posed by news media outlets like RT and Sputnik. Even combined the two services have limited access to the U.S. market, with a 2014 study suggesting that they have only 2.8 million actual weekly viewers. RT did not make the cut and is not included on the list of 100 most popular television channels in the U.S. and it has far less market penetration than other foreign news services like the BBC. It can be found on only a limited number of cable networks in a few, mostly urban areas. It does better in Europe, but its profile in the U.S. market is miniscule. As even bad news is good news in terms of selling a product, it probably did receive higher ratings when the intelligence agency report slamming it came out on it in January. Everyone probably wanted to learn what RT was all about.So it seems to me that the United States  moves against RT and Sputnik are little more than lashing out at a problem that is not really a problem in a bid to again promote the Russian  threat  to explain the ongoing dysfunction that prevails in America s democratic process. One keeps reading or hearing how the American government has  indisputable  proof of Moscow s intentions to subvert democracy in the U.S. as well as in Europe but the actual evidence is still elusive. Will Russiagate end with a bang or a whimper? No one seems to know.***READ MORE RUSSIAGATE NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Russiagate FilesSUPPORT 21WIRE  SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER @ 21WIRE.TVUS_News
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: us gov war rt imperial media truth monopoly threatens press diversitytaking the mickey rt uk billboard campaign london underground poker fun russiagate campaign gerald und reviewsomehow everything keeps coming back around russia in one recent initiatives justice department doj appears attacking first amendment part apparent bipartisan program make vladimir putin fall guy everything goes wrong washington in past month doj revealed fbi investigating russian owned news outlets sputnik news rt international sent letters latter demanding one business affiliates register foreign agent october the apparent line inquiry bureau pursuing agencies russian government spreading disinformation intended discredit united states government institutions this alleged action would make doj view propaganda arm foreign government rather news service it also makes subject department treasury oversight foreign agents registration act owned russian government media group headed putin consigliere dimitri kiselyov investigation due accusations made fired broadcaster named andrew feinberg feinberg former sputnik white house correspondent reportedly took thumb drive containing thousands internal business files left office he interviewed fbi turned documents claimed much direction network covered came america television oriented sputnik operates two business entities rtv america rtv studios the department justice refused identify businesses targeted letter calling registration far believed rtv america provides operational support broadcasting well production facilities both companies actually owned businessman alex yazlovsky though funding presumably comes russian noticed little pushback mainstream alternative media regarding department justice moves presumably broad consensus russian interfering democracy coming if assumption part correct silence issue reflects certain na vote also constituting near perfect example pervasive tunnel vision obscure significant collateral damage might organizations normally considered exempt requirements far the department justice action two russian major media outlets unprecedented insofar i could determine even qatar owned verified early stages afghan war kabul offices bombed register far permitted operate freely even allowed buy television channel license american doj effect saying rt sputnik nothing propaganda organs qualify journalism i would disagree one goes standards contemporary journalism united states america newspapers record new york times washington post pretend lock stories true the post adopted slogan democracy dies darkness times proclaims the truth important ever anyone read either paper regularly past year knows perfectly well often leading propaganda organs hillary clinton democratic party pushing particular agenda designating donald trump they differ little admittedly biased television news reporting provided fox news exactly russian according last january report signed fbi cia nsa may motivated doj take action rt sputnik consistently cast trump target unfair coverage traditional media outlets claimed subservient corrupt political establishment well certainly got one right better reporting going among american public either washington post new york sputnik feinberg claimed inter alia pushed ask questions white house press briefings suggesting syria basal responsible chemical attacks taken place one wonders feinberg reluctance sputnik rt ones expressing skepticism claims syrian involvement widely debunked and expressing credible alternative view event syria even regarded propaganda damaging american public there difficult distinguish line far restricted trying influence opinion using regarded fake news propaganda legitimate journalism reporting stories facts challenged even real journalists choose cover stories selectively inevitably producing certain narrative viewer listener reader all news services greater lesser considerable personal experience rt particular lesser extent sputnik i also know many others interviewed one no one done ever coached urged follow particular line support specific position insofar i know nor i know anyone actually paid appear most us interviewed appreciative fact allowed air views essentially banned mainstream media include critique maladroit policies places like syria afghanistan biting critiques war opinion however lean heavily towards stories critical united states policies rt global reach much balanced covers for sure criticizes policies protective russian government substantially differ national news services i done interviews i find much uniquely generated negative reporting usually linked violence guns bbc world news deutsche well i rt international to describe part influence campaign driven propaganda machine kernel truth nevertheless bit stretch since one could make claims government financed news service including voice america governments get broadcasting promote points view inform serious problem threats use far could advance ongoing erosion freedom press united states establishing precedent foreign news services critical longer tolerated it also hypocritical countries like israel interfere regularly american politics exempt far registration one dares take step russia fair news outlets also invites retaliation media operating russia eventually elsewhere currently western media reports russia pretty much without censored pressured avoid certain stories i would note recent series appeared cbs featuring repulsive stephen colbert spending week russia mercilessly lampooned country government no one arrested made stop filming no one claimed trying undermine russian government discredit country institutions even though precisely issue threat posed news media outlets like rt sputnik even combined two services limited access market study suggesting million actual weekly viewers rt make cut included list popular television channels far less market penetration foreign news services like bbc it found limited number cable networks mostly urban areas it better europe profile market minuscule as even bad news good news terms selling product probably receive higher ratings intelligence agency report spamming came january everyone probably wanted learn rt seems united states moves rt sputnik little lasting problem really problem bid promote russian threat explain ongoing dysfunction prevails america democratic process one keeps reading hearing american government indisputable proof moscow intentions subvert democracy well europe actual evidence still elusive will russiagate end bang whisper no one seems know read more russiagate news at century wire russiagate filessupport subscribe become a member