THE OBSERVER: Reframing Russia

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Another major research project by the Open University and the University of Manchester into the influence of RT – the Kremlin-backed media outlet formerly known as Russia Today – was launched last Thursday in London.

The launch of the Reframing Russia project was told by Ellen Mickiewicz, from Duke University in North Carolina, that while RT often appeared to be inept and hamfisted, its influence should not be underestimated. James Nixey, head of the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House went further, claiming that the Russian government believed that it was at war and western governments were only now waking up to that.

Professor Stephen Hutchings, who is leading the research project, told the Observer that it was worth remembering that the FCO used to fund the BBC World Service, including its Russian-Language arm until 2014, when a toll was taken by cuts.

“The timing could not have been more unfortunate, with 2014 being the year in which the Ukraine crisis flared up,” he added.

He said that recent contracts appeared “are in some ways an attempt to compensate and play ‘catch-up’ in light of the growing concern in the FCO and defence communities about Russia’s extensive ‘propaganda’ operation.”