The chapter delves into how foreign media outlets misreported on Russia's transition to capitalism by focusing on positive stories about the middle class while ignoring the country's struggles like high mortality rates. It discusses the challenges journalists and diplomats faced due to language barriers, reflecting on historical reasons for not speaking the local language. The chapter also touches on the evolution of media control under Putin's rule, highlighting the dangerous environment for journalists during the Yeltsin era and the challenges American journalists encountered in accurately reporting on Russia.