Putin praises RT on 20th Anniversary, criticises Western media and censorship

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the 20th anniversary of the Kremlin-funded broadcaster RT with a speech praising its global influence and editorial stance, while sharply criticising Western media for what he described as monopolising global narratives.

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Putin praised RT's rise and mission, calling it a global brand that defends Russias voice in international media.
He accused Western media of bias, saying they distort narratives and suppress RT through bans and censorship.
RT's global collaborations were highlighted, with Putin claiming its editorial independence attracts international talent.

Speaking at a ceremony at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre , Putin commended RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and her team for their professionalism, resilience, and commitment to “defending truth” in global media, particularly during a “turbulent period” for the organisation.

“Over the last 20 years, RT has gone from an idea to a global brand,” Putin said, adding that the network had succeeded in offering an “alternative point of view.”

He also accused Western media of abusing their dominance in the early 2000s, saying they “disguised subjective interpretations as objective news” and imposed “distorted values” on global audiences.

Putin said RT was created to counterbalance Western media hegemony and to promote Russia’s sovereign voice in the global information space.

“Russia’s sovereignty relies on our ability to share impartial information with the world,” he said.

He also alleged that RT has faced censorship and discrimination on foreign platforms, claiming its growing popularity had triggered efforts by Western governments and media to block or ban the network.

Putin highlighted RT’s international collaborations, citing contributions from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, former US talk show host Larry King and former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. He said their involvement reflected a demand for “news different from propaganda,” and added that RT’s editorial independence attracted professionals from the United States and Europe.

“Any monopoly, including in the media, eventually comes to an end,” Putin said.

“In a multipolar world, intolerance toward independent voices is not just outdated, it is unsustainable.”

His remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations over issues including media freedom, disinformation, and geopolitical influence.

The US State Department and European officials have previously criticised RT for its role in disseminating disinformation, particularly in the context of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and domestic politics in other countries.

RT was launched in 2005 to present Russia’s perspective to global audiences. It operates in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Spanish, and French, and has expanded its digital presence over the past decade.