Russian Media Pivots to GOP Messaging Following Capitol Attack

RT expands disinformation tactics and shifts coverage to play up censorship narratives while presenting Putin as a defender of free speech.

Russia Today Telegram Messaging

Following the Jan 6th attack on the Capitol, platforms purged users sharing extremist content from recognized domestic terror threats like Qanon. Censorship, specifically of conservatives, became a major theme in the Russia Today Telegram channel.

Content sets up Putin as a true defender of free speech at the same time it has played up the censorship threat. Nevermind that Putin is likely responsible for the deaths of at least 22 journalists. The shift may hint at their ultimate aim.

Recommended article from RT in the first week in February 2021