A memo reportedly sent out by Russia’s Department of Information and Telecommunications Support urges the country's broadcasters to share news segments from Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson.
The memo was obtained and shared by the magazine Mother Jones, which allegedly received the information from a confidential source working at a Russia-friendly media outlet after it was shared on March 3, just over a week after Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered Ukrainian troops across the border.
Titled 'For Media and Commentators (recommendations for coverage of events as of 03.03)', the memo included talking points for its media partners and said it was 'essential' that broadcasters play segments from Carlson's show 'as much as possible'.
The Fox News host has been outspoken about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, causing controversy as he criticised the United States' position on the matter and in one segment questioned why Democrats 'want you to hate Putin'.
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Ahead of the invasion which began on February 24, Carlson said: 'Has Putin shipped every middle class job in your town to Russia? Did he manufacture a worldwide pandemic that wrecked your business? Is he teaching your kids to embrace racial discrimination? Is he making fentanyl? Does he eat dogs?'
His opinions didn't seem to waver after Putin launched the invasion, when Carlson suggested the US had 'intentionally' sought war with Russia by suggesting Ukraine could join NATO.
Carlson's commentary apparently proved favourable for Russia as the memo told broadcasters that Carlson 'sharply criticizes the actions of the United States [and] Nato', according to Mother Jones, per The Independent.
The document includes direct quotes from Carlson and describes the utility of his arguments about 'provocative behavior from the leadership of the Western countries and NATO towards the Russian Federation and towards President Putin, personally'.
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It summed up Carlson's position on the war as 'Russia is only protecting its interests and security', and quoted Carlson in saying: 'And how would the US behave if such a situation developed in neighbouring Mexico or Canada?'
Television news commentary was described as a key part of addressing all sides of the political spectrum of 'Victory in the Information War', the memo said.
Fox News has been a common choice for Russian state TV when discussing Ukraine, The Independent reports, while Russian officials have also made it illegal to share what the government alleges to be 'false' information about the war. Defying the rule is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
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Topics: Russia, Ukraine, World News, Film and TV, US News
