Slashdot Mirror
In Russia, 50% of News Must Be Happy
Several readers sent us to the New York Times for disturbing news on Russia's vanishing press freedoms. The story tells of how one of the few remaining relatively independent radio outlets in Russia recently acquired new managers, reportedly loyal to Vladimir Putin. Quoting: "At their first meeting with journalists since taking over Russia's largest independent radio news network, the managers had startling news of their own: from now on, they said, at least 50 percent of the reports about Russia must be 'positive.' In addition, opposition leaders could not be mentioned on the air and the United States was to be portrayed as an enemy, journalists employed by the network, Russian News Service, say they were told by the new managers, who are allies of the Kremlin."
I totally agree with this. The state of affairs in the world sucks at the moment. Back in my day things were much better. We knew who the enemy was, it was those commies in the USSR. And they were just as clear on who their enemy was. With that kind of clarity we all got on with our lives and things were simple.
If they want to portray the US as the enemy, I completely understand that. The best part of that is...we're not really their enemy. It's a safe ruse that could do a lot of good. I suggest we do the same and pretend Russia is an evil empire again.
Let's return to the concept of a cold war. Not as many people died in the last one. We didn't shoot each other as much either.
As for the requirement for 50% of the news to be happy: why the hell not? I realize that might require reporters and editors to actually do some work, but the stories are out there.
. Quit playing Monopoly with Bill. Switch to one of many non-Microsoft products today.
No no. In Soviet Russia, the news smiles at YOU!
Hey, don't knock it... If they can find ANY good news, they're doing better than we are.
So Fox News started its Russian subsidiary?