Big Brother 2.0?

As western media companies retreat from international reporting, new state-run media outfits from China, Russia, Qatar, and Iran are rushing in to fill the void. Though presented with a slick Western polish, these channels generally project the political perspective of each country’s government. Some fear the growing politicization of the news, with powerful state media battling out national differences, undermining news objectivity. Others are more sanguine, noting the demand for channels with a nationalist bent among immigrant communities as well as the value in airing competing perspectives that challenge the dominant Western (or Washington) narrative. Certainly Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow – all three of whom are suspicious of the international media – hope to use their stations to that effect and so exert soft power on world opinion. Yet while these channels are attracting viewers, to maintain credibility, they will need to keep ownership separate from editors. But this violates the whole intention for their creation. Stay tuned. – YaleGlobal