The Economist: “America’s answer to Russian propaganda TV”
The weekly magazine’s print edition released on June 17, 2017, includes an article titled “America’s answer to Russian propaganda TV” which introduces readers to the Current Time network. Current Time is a collaboration between Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and the Voice of America (VOA) bringing real news to Russian-speaking audiences.
The article describes Current Time’s mission to provide an alternative to Kremlin-sponsored media like RT and Sputnik. “The channel is available [in Ukraine] on cable TV as well in all the Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Georgia, and Moldova,” it states. And, despite only being accessible online and via satellite within Russia, “in May videos were viewed 40 million times online.”
The article also mentions a second RFE/RL and VOA collaboration, Polygraph.info — a website currently focused on fact-checking statements Russian official statements.
About RFE/RL
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.
About VOA
Voice of America reaches a global weekly audience of more than 354 million people in 49 languages. VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable, shortwave, FM, medium wave, streaming audio and video and more than 2,350 media outlets worldwide. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.