Western Reporters Fail to Convey the Russian Viewpoint

Joshua Tartakovsky Israeli-American independent journalist and a graduate of Brown University and LSE

The Western media depicts Russia on nearly every occasion as an aggressive and irrational bully while wholly ignoring real war crimes committed by the Ukrainian government against its own citizens in the Donbass. Provocative actions taken by the US to expand NATO at the price of backing outright fascists in the Ukrainian government and armed militias are not mentioned and escape the notice of most people.

When speaking of Russia, Western reporters do not attempt to report from the sidelines as bystanders, nor present a more nuanced view that suggests that Russia may have a point on some issues. Instead, Western reporters frequently portray Russia as an aggressive force that must be both belittled and feared while unfounded stories regarding Russia’s invasion of East Ukraine are being presented as facts. The heightened sense of superiority in their black-and-white portrayal makes it clear that many Western journalists have in fact chosen a side and that they see themselves as warriors fighting on behalf of the Western civilization against the foreign and menacing Russian Other, while seeking to illicit a similar sense in the public.

When it comes to covering Russia, the more Russia appears as irrational, the better. Although occasionally some facts make it into the mainstream media, they are quickly forgotten and the demonization of Russia continues. It is highly reasonable to suggest that the mainstream media presents views suited for the US government or for corporate financial interests while betraying the purpose for which they exist. The meddling of the US government in the media has been exposed recently in Germany and a strong argument can be made that it led to the firing of the former New York Times editor.

However, it appears that the media’s portrayal of Russia is not just due to orders from above. Strict editing for the sake of serving a political agenda can present a particular narrative but cannot force an emotion nor a passion. (Nor is the dogmatic reporting a leftover from the Cold War, for Russia was portrayed positively when it abided by Western dictates). The frenzy with which Western reporters depict Russia as a barbaric force while ignoring the Ukrainian army’s attack on civilians, suggests that they have indeed conformed to the ‘Us versus Them’ spirit in Washington and see themselves as soldiers in that battle or at the very least are afraid to stand alone.

Furthermore, the demonization of Russia had been coupled by an even stronger demonization of Putin. That accusations without any basis, such as that Russia invaded Eastern Ukraine, are frequently being made indicates that the goal is indeed demonization, not true journalism. The future is not too promising as the past indicates that a process of demonization of an individual leader by the US media, is followed by an attempt of the US to topple him undemocratically, using various means. We have seen this in the cases of Iraq, Libya, Venezuela and others. Ignoring crimes committed by the Ukrainian government since it is supposedly part of the ‘Civilized West’ does not open the door to an accurate understanding of events. Viewing Russia with a mix of suspicion and fear may give one the illusionary sense that he/she is culturally superior or must become defensive but does not allow for a mature dialogue between equals on burning issues. In any case, most mainstream journalists have followed the prevalent groupthink and see themselves as bearers of the light against a primitive and dangerous Moscow that must be confronted.