INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Zhanna Agalakova is an ex-reporter and news anchor who gained prominence for her work at Russia's state-controlled Channel One
Agalakova about the ethical dilemmas faced by state TV workers and their responsibility to society.The Moscow Times: You worked at Channel
At first, it was normal work; the 1990s offered a lot of freedom to journalists in Russia
I joined Channel One because it was a major media outlet with massive reach across the country and abroad
A kind of turning point for me was in the mid-2000s when it became clear in our newsroom that Dmitry Medvedev would be the next president
It was very evident; we were instructed to show him every day on the air
For me, this was unacceptable because I understood that neither in the informational nor political context did this person, whom we were
They were no longer just announcers, but journalists with independent thoughts
So, I asked to transfer from anchoring to a correspondent role and moved to France
Relations between Russia, Europe and the world were still good
I worked freely without compromising my conscience
I covered what I found important and had many initiatives
However, even this window gradually closed.Can you describe the propaganda techniques used in state media? How do they work and influence
steering the narrative in the desired direction
Everyone starts discussing it, regardless of its source
This lie gains traction and eventually gets recycled back into the system as if validated by third parties
A prime example was the claim that Volodymyr Zelensky was an alleged drug addict
Propaganda outlets pushed this narrative, which then circulated widely, creating a feedback loop of false legitimacy.A watershed moment for
me was the infamous story of the "crucified boy," a fabricated claim that Ukrainian forces had crucified a little boy in the Donetsk region
This outright lie first appeared on the channel where I worked.This brings us to the question of journalistic responsibility...I feel
responsible for the fact that Russians supported the war so massively
We all bear some degree of responsibility
They faced heavy burdens, waiting for pensions or other life changes
it in months, maybe half a year
Maybe I should occasionally
All media in Russia is under strict control
Independent information can only be spread via outlets based outside Russia, with the help of VPNs
But stories still circulate [inside Russia] via social media, stories about different issues like migrant workers or the struggles of widows
These accounts resonate with people eventually, especially as the impact of sanctions and the militarization of industry becomes evident
I believe this shift is inevitable.You also reflected on the role of a journalist in Russia while filming a documentary where you showed
We traveled to over 30 Russian cities
I deliberately chose non-touristy spots to show the unvarnished reality
Everywhere, people are suffering and in need
One striking story was a wooden house with a massive Russian flag on its facade
Inside, seven or eight families lived in dire conditions, with holes in the floor and no sewage
war and authoritarianism hosted by The Moscow Times in Amsterdam on Nov
