A British RT host has today gone on the defensive over Vladimir’s Putin invasion of Ukraine, accusing western media of pumping out ‘hysterical headlines’, while trumpeting Kremlin statements about attack simply being ‘military assistance’ of pro-Russian separatists.
Nikki Aaron, a presenter on the state-controlled TV channel, said Britons and Americans would be ‘waking up to sensational headlines’ about Russia sending troops into Ukraine – a move which has attracted widespread condemnation from across the world.
The Emmy-award nominated journalist made the comments while presenting live from her broadcaster’s Moscow studio – as the news ticker ‘Russia: Our aim is to protect People from Kiev’s genocide’ displayed at the bottom of the screen.
She also regurgitated Kremlin lines claiming civilians were safe, that Russia did not plane to occupy Ukraine and that the invasion was a ‘military operation’ launched by Putin after a call for ‘military assistance’ by pro-Russian separatist in the Donbass region.
It comes as Scottish politician Alex Salmond today remained silent over his presenting job at the Russian state-funded broadcaster.
Today the channel broadcast the latest edition of the Alex Salmond show, featuring the former SNP chief interviewing ex Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable about a possible co-coalition with the Labour party.
Last night current SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said she was ‘appalled’ by Mr Salmond, Scotland’s former First Minister, continuing to host his show on RT.
It comes as Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries yesterday told media watchdog Ofcom to review RT, saying the channel ‘is demonstrably part of Russia’s global disinformation campaign’ during the Ukraine crisis.
Nikki Aaron, a presenter on the state-controlled TV channel, said Britons and Americans would be ‘waking up to sensational headlines’ about Russia’s decision to send troops into Ukraine – a move which has been widely condemned across the world
The Emmy-award nominated journalist made the comments this morning while presenting live from her channel’s Moscow studio while the ticker ‘Operation Donbass’ displayed on the screen
Ms Aaron also spouted Kremlin lines claiming the invasion was a ‘military operation’ launched by Putin after a call for ‘military assistance’ by pro-Russian separatist in the Donbass region
Ofcom said it has ‘already stepped up our oversight of coverage’ of the crisis by broadcasters in the UK.
Today, as Russian tanks crossed into Ukraine and bombs and artillery rained down in a number of regions, Ms Aaron shared several Kremlin lines with RT viewers.
With the ticker describing it as ‘Operation Donbass’, Ms Aaron said: ‘President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in Donbass during an address to the nation.
‘This comes after the people’s republic of Donbass turned to Russia for military assistance.
‘The president said there would be no occupation of Ukrainian terirory.’
She later said: ‘The Russian defence ministry has denied all claims of rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities.
‘A ministry spokesperson said there were no threats to the civilian population in Ukraine as high precision weapons are incapacitating military infrastructure including air defence facilities.
‘The ministry says there is no fight back from the Ukrainian border guard and air defence and air base infrastructure has been neutralised.
‘Russia also denies reports one of its military has been shot down.
As she was joined by a guest speaker, Ms Aaron went on to attack western media, who she said would be spreading ‘hysterical headlines’.
She said: ‘Of course we woke up to this at 6am in Moscow, an ungodly hour, most people won’t be awake.
‘People are waking up to it now and of course the UK being three hours behind, also waking up, the US it is still the middle of the night, so they are going to be waking up to these hysterical headlines, sensational headlines about what is going on, with the situation in Ukraine.’
It comes as RT, which is funded by the federal tax budget of the Russian government, today shared its latest edition of the Alex Salmond show.
The former SNP First Minister of Scotland, who now heads up the pro-independence Alba party, spoke with Vince Cable about paperback version of his new book Money and Power.
The pair, who did not speak about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, discussed the possibility of a Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition.
The show was broadcast on RT today just hours after current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was ‘appalled’ that her predecessor Alex Salmond was continuing to host his show on the Russian state-backed channel.
Ms Sturgeon said it was ‘unthinkable’ Mr Salmond’s show should continue, urging him to ‘reflect’ on matters.
Mr Salmond has always insisted he has total editorial control, while yesterday RT chiefs described her comment as ‘inappropriate’.
Meanwhile, Mr Cable today defended his decision to go on the show, saying that the interview was recorded yesterday and that it was not related to Ukraine.
He told MailOnline: ‘(The interview) was about the paperback version of my book Money and Power and my earlier novel and had nothing to do with events in Ukraine.
‘It was part of a round of interviews with various outlets on the book.
‘My views on Russia were clearly set out when I was party leader during the debate on the Skripal murders.
‘In response to the invasion I fully support the NATO sanctions package package and agree with Ed Davey and Layla Moran that at the UK response has been too wreak so far.’
He added: ‘RT’s political coverage is clearly slanted to give a pro-Russian position. But it is free to broadcast under UK regulated broadcasting.’
The show was broadcast on RT today just hours after current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was ‘appalled’ that her predecessor Alex Salmond (pictured) was continuing to host his show on the Russian state-backed channel
Mr Cable today defended his decision to go on the show, saying that the interview was recorded yesterday and that it was not related to Ukraine
Pictured: Nadine Dorries wrote to the broadcast regulator over the Kremlin-backed channel Russia Today, raising concern the channel may spread propaganda during the Ukraine crisis
It comes as Nadine Dorries yesterday ordered Ofcom to take ‘timely and transparent’ action against Russia Today amid growing concerns it is spreading propaganda during the Ukraine crisis.
The Culture Secretary wrote to the broadcast regulator to raise concerns that the Kremlin-backed outfit could ‘look to spread harmful disinformation’ in the UK.
But Boris Johnson rejected calls for an outright ban, saying it should be up to Ofcom to ban media organisations rather than politicians.
And RT responded provocatively last night, saying that the BBC should also be subject to a review by Ofcom over its ‘state sponsorship’.
In a letter to Melanie Dawes, the chief executive of Ofcom, Miss Dorries said the Russian government was conducting an ‘aggressive’ disinformation campaign.
Ofcom is an independent body that has the power to fine RT or even revoke its licence to broadcast in the UK.
It has previously fined the broadcaster £200,000 for breaching impartiality rules over the 2018 Salisbury novichok poisoning.
Miss Dorries said RT was ‘demonstrably part of Russia’s global disinformation campaign’ and said certain states sought to ‘exploit and undermine’ the UK’s media landscape.
She pointed to its editor-in-chief, who has previously referred to the broadcaster as an ‘information weapon’ that can be deployed against the West. She said it was essential that the UK looked to limit Russia’s ability to spread propaganda.
She added that while she respected Ofcom’s independence, it was essential that it kept RT under review.
But in the Commons yesterday, the Prime Minister rejected a call from Labour leader Keir Starmer for an outright ban on RT.
He said: ‘We live in a democracy, Mr Speaker, and we live in a country that believes in free speech and I think it’s important that we should leave it up to Ofcom rather than to politicians to decide which media organisations to ban. That’s what Russia does.’
Sir Keir told the Commons that Vladimir Putin’s ‘campaign of misinformation’ should be tackled.
RT’s coverage of Ukraine has been from a pro-Russian perspective, with reports of celebrations in Luhansk and Donetsk after President Putin sent in tanks.
Ofcom said: ‘All licensees must observe Ofcom’s rules, including due accuracy and due impartiality.
‘If broadcasters break those rules, we will not hesitate to step in. Given the seriousness of the Ukraine crisis, we will examine complaints about any broadcaster’s news coverage of this issue as a priority.’
It is understood that the regulator has no plans to expel RT and it has had fewer than 50 complaints about its Ukraine output.