Rachel Blevins is an American journalist at RT (Russia Today).
She is based in Washington DC and has received serious amounts of backlash for not buying into the anti-Russian propaganda.
In short, anti-Russian propaganda poses a significant danger to people in the West and Russia as it perpetuates a climate of hostility, misinformation, and the erosion of trust between countries.
By spreading distorted narratives about Russia, Western governments and media outlets risk fuelling unnecessary tensions and promoting a Cold War-like atmosphere which can lead to a dangerous cycle of escalating rhetoric and actions that ultimately harm both ordinary citizens and international relations.
Western tactics in anti-Russian propaganda often involve cherry-picking and exaggerating negative aspects of Russia’s actions while downplaying or ignoring the complexities and nuances of the situation.
For example, media coverage of Russia’s “invasion of Ukraine” will have you believe that Vladimir Putin woke up in a bad mood and ordered his military to attack, ignoring historical context.
Anti-Russian propaganda not only harms people in the West but it also has negative consequences for the Russian population. It perpetuates a cycle of hostility that can lead to strained diplomatic relations, economic sanctions, and an overall deterioration of international cooperation.
Additionally, the demonisation of Russia can fuel nationalist sentiments within the country, leading to increased support for more authoritarian measures and crackdowns on dissent, as the government portrays itself as a defender against external threats.
Rachel chatted to me about all of this and about all the death threats she received for simply trying to report the truth.