Former US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper recently made a startling claim: RT, the Russian news outlet, boasts a larger American audience than CNN. This assertion comes from a CNN interview where Clapper doubled down on his previous accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election, a cornerstone of the infamous ‘Russiagate’ conspiracy theory. He himself was a key figure in propagating these allegations.
Clapper’s statement is particularly noteworthy given RT’s history of facing significant censorship and legal challenges in the US. Since 2017, the network has been designated a ‘foreign agent,’ denied congressional press credentials, and ultimately forced to shut down its American channel in 2022. This closure followed escalating tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict and the West’s sweeping sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, RT has faced content restrictions and deletions from major platforms like YouTube and Facebook, where it once held a substantial presence.
The former intelligence chief’s comments are all the more striking considering the legal battles RT has endured. Last year, the US indicted two individuals identified as RT employees, charging them with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), money laundering, and covert attempts to influence American audiences. Additionally, senior RT employees, including Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, have faced US sanctions. These actions underscore the intense scrutiny and restrictions placed upon RT’s operations within the United States.
Clapper’s assertion, however controversial, highlights the complex landscape of media consumption and the ongoing debate surrounding foreign influence in US politics. The significant viewership numbers attributed to RT, despite the considerable obstacles it faces, raise questions about media consumption habits and the effectiveness of censorship measures. Moscow has vehemently condemned the US crackdown on RT, framing it as an attack on democratic principles and a sign of totalitarian tendencies within the American political system.
