Why I check Russia Today 🇷🇺 for the news 📰

For a long time I’ve been very interested in alternative perspectives not available on the mainstream media. I often think that sources like NPR are very one sided, too quick to dismiss other perspectives by calling them fake news and propaganda. But often alternative sources have good facts about what is happening on the ground, even if they have a different take on events based on alternative values.

People are quick to dismiss things that they disagree with as fake news. But when people and organizations are trying to censor things like Russia Today, then it’s all the more important to read up about them and learn their perspective and what parts of the conflict their highlighting. Russia Today is particularly good at highlighting the hypocrisy of the United States and the west when it comes to ideals of justice and fairness, even if they rarely look inwards to the problems of Russia. Just because they turn a blind eye to their country’s own problems or evils doesn’t mean they are fake.

By the same token, I also read the NY Post and Fox News not because I embrace all their pro police propaganda or sensationalist crime stories but because I like to be informed of the issues that concern conservative minded politicians. Not because I’m a right winger but because I like to hear the full spectrum of news and pick out stories and perspectives that make sense based on the evidence. Previously, I would read Inspire, the English translation of the recruiting magazine of Al Queda to be informed on how the Taliban saw the world.

My advice – visit RT.com regularly.

Reading the perspectives of the Russian government won’t brain wash you but will make you an informed citizen who is more understanding of the Russian society and culture. Understanding other cultures can help make you a voice for peace and an more informed person.