The Intelligence from The Economist Straight out of Orwell: Russia’s propaganda machine
May 20, 2022
Noah Snyder, The Economist's Tokyo bureau chief with a rich background in Russian media, joins Robert Guest, the foreign editor focusing on Zimbabwe's economic woes, and Anne Rowe, the obituaries editor recalling the legacy of Katsumoto Saotome. They discuss Russia's propaganda machine and its impact on public opinion regarding the Ukraine war. The guests also analyze Zimbabwe's return to hyperinflation and the struggle of its citizens amidst economic turmoil. Lastly, they reflect on the importance of remembering historical atrocities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Russia's Propaganda Machine
- The Kremlin’s propaganda machine shapes Russians' wartime views.
- New censorship laws restrict reporting using unofficial sources, even criminalizing calling the war a "war."
Media in Russia
- Western social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are blocked in Russia.
- Independent liberal media, including Dozhd, Novaya Gazeta, and Echo Moskvi, have been silenced or forced to operate from abroad.
Kremlin Propaganda Shift
- Past propaganda aimed to create passivity and sow doubt.
- Current propaganda encourages mobilization and support for the war effort.