Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson’s recent announcement about interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked criticism from various journalists, who fear the Kremlin might exploit the interview for propaganda purposes.
In a video shared on the social media platform X, Carlson stated his intention to interview the long-standing Russian leader, citing Americans’ right to be informed about their involvement in ongoing conflicts.
With Russia gearing up for presidential elections in mid-March, wherein Putin is widely expected to secure another term, some analysts speculate that the interview might serve Putin’s campaign objectives. Mikhail Rubin, deputy editor-in-chief of the Russian investigative outlet Proekt Media, suggested that Carlson’s participation could inadvertently bolster Putin’s image during the election season.
Rubin emphasized that the interview could be leveraged to portray Moscow favorably, depicting Putin as open and Russia as a free and transparent nation. However, Rubin, who fled Russia in 2021 due to safety concerns, challenged this narrative, asserting that Russia’s reality starkly contrasts with such portrayals. He pointed out the dire state of press freedom in Russia, where journalists face imprisonment and exile for their critical reporting.
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Russian journalist Yevgenia Albats echoed Rubin’s sentiments, highlighting the plight of Russian journalists who risk arrest or persecution for their work. She criticized Carlson’s seemingly privileged position compared to the struggles faced by journalists within Russia.
Max Seddon, Moscow bureau chief for the Financial Times, raised concerns over Carlson’s apparent oversight of the challenges confronting Russian journalists. He pointed out the imprisonment of journalists like Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, who have been detained on dubious charges related to their reporting activities.
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Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges, while Kurmasheva faces accusations of failing to register as a “foreign agent” and spreading false information about the Russian military. Their cases highlight the broader crackdown on press freedom in Russia, with numerous journalists incarcerated or harassed for their work.
Despite criticism, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the interview took place last Tuesday and is set to be published soon. Carlson stated that the unedited interview will be live-streamed on X, where he hosts a show following his departure from Fox News last year.
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Carlson’s tenure at Fox News ended amidst controversy, notably following the network’s settlement of a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. His departure marked the end of a prime-time show known for espousing conservative viewpoints.
Carlson’s assertion about Western journalists’ purported lack of interest in interviewing Putin drew skepticism from peers. CNN’s Christiane Amanpour challenged Carlson’s claim, emphasizing journalists’ continued efforts to secure interviews with Putin.
Even the Kremlin refuted Carlson’s assertion, highlighting the numerous interview requests they received for Putin. Despite Carlson’s claims, the interview’s implications remain subject to scrutiny amid concerns over its potential use for propaganda.
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