Putin hits out at western media 'hypocrisy'

Vladimir Putin accused Western media of imposing false moral values and silencing dissent while celebrating RT’s 20th anniversary.

Transcript

00:00Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western media of using their global influence

00:07to spread what he calls false moral values while silencing opposing views.

00:12Speaking at RT's 20th anniversary event, Putin claimed Western outlets hide behind objectivity

00:19while shaping global opinion to serve their own political and economic interests.

00:23He went on to criticise what he called the hypocrisy of Western elites,

00:31saying they speak of democracy and free speech, but actively suppress voices that challenge their narrative.

00:37Reflecting on the early 2000s, Putin claimed this was a turning point

00:41when Western media began using news coverage to promote a new global ideology.

00:46He also accused Western broadcasters of referring to terrorists involved in attacks on Russia as insurgents,

00:52saying this portrayal was meant to evoke sympathy for violent extremists.

00:57The Russian leader said defending national sovereignty also means ensuring Russia's voice is heard on the global stage.

01:04He added that RT's expanding international reach has unsettled Western competitors,

01:09suggesting they are uncomfortable with alternative viewpoints gaining traction worldwide.