The announcement that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be granting an interview to US television host Tucker Carlson has sparked widespread interest, with the Kremlin citing the host’s differing approach from traditional Western news media as the reason for the unusual move. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued that large network media, TV channels, and newspapers in the West have abandoned all pretenses of impartiality, instead opting for a one-sided perspective that is heavily biased against Russia.
In Peskov’s view, these media outlets’ decision to abandon impartiality has created a situation where there is little desire to communicate directly with them. “When it comes to the countries of the collective West, the large network media, TV channels, (and) large newspapers can in no way boast of even trying to at least look impartial in terms of coverage,” Peskov said. “These are all media outlets that take an exceptionally one-sided position. Of course, there is no desire to communicate with such media, and it hardly makes sense, and it is unlikely that it will be useful.”
In contrast, Peskov believes that Carlson’s approach stands out from the norm. While he is still a pro-American host, Peskov notes that his position is different from that of the traditional Anglo-Saxon media, which is often biased against Russia. The interview with Carlson, which is likely to air on Thursday, is seen as a departure from Putin’s usual reluctance to engage with Western media outlets.
The Kremlin’s decision to grant an interview to Carlson may be motivated by a desire to present Putin’s views directly to a wider audience, rather than relying on filtered or biased reporting. By choosing a host with a reputation for being more open-minded and less aligned with the prevailing Western media narrative, Putin may be attempting to reach a broader range of viewers and present his perspective in a more nuanced and balanced way.
Vladimir Putin (Via Vladimir Putin/Twitter)
The importance of impartiality in journalism has been highlighted by the controversy surrounding Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the subsequent reporting by Western media outlets. Critics have accused many Western news organizations of being overly biased and one-sided in their coverage, with some arguing that these outlets are more interested in promoting a particular narrative rather than providing a balanced and accurate account of events.
In this context, the Kremlin’s frustration with the media’s perceived lack of impartiality has been echoed by other politicians and analysts. The Russian leader’s decision to engage with a host who is seen as less partisan may be a deliberate attempt to undermine the perceived bias of the traditional Western media and to present his views directly to a wider audience.
Ultimately, the significance of Putin’s interview with Carlson lies in its potential to challenge the dominant narrative surrounding Russia and Ukraine. By engaging with a host who is not overtly pro-Russian or anti-Russian, Putin may be able to present his views in a more nuanced and balanced way, which could potentially influence public opinion and pave the way for more constructive dialogue between Russia and the West.
As the interview is set to air, it will be interesting to see how Carlson’s approach will be received and whether it will be able to change the narrative surrounding Russia and Ukraine. Will Putin’s decision to engage with a host who is seen as less partisan be able to challenge the dominant narrative, or will it ultimately be seen as a PR stunt by the Russian leader? Only time will tell.
