Journalist watched Russian state TV for 50 hours. Hear what surprised him

New York Times reporter Stuart A. Thompson discusses what he learned after watching 50 hours of Russian state television about the invasion of Ukraine.

#CNN #News

[mb-bpeb]

"Journalist watched Russian state TV for 50 hours."

Give that guy a raise. I hope he is well.

[mirandahotspring]

Says a lot when they would rather admit incompetence than an enemy attack

[Mel-ncqq]

“Watched Russian state TV for 50 hours” this dude needs a work compensation.

[cjyung]

"They call me crazy for smoking Marijuana, but call the man who invented the atomic bomb a genius." - Bob Marley

[julianhyde]

You know things are bad when your argument is “we weren’t outsmarted and we’re not weak. We’re just incompetent.”

[Andrew-fezi]

considering that the Ukrainians hit a second ship a day or two ago, it there gonna be another "accident"? Will anyone start wondering why ships conducting special operations near Ukraine spontaneously catch fire sometimes?

[GlennDavey]

"I didn't realise I wasn't meant to watch it all at once...." says journalist, from hospital.

[GioMarron]

I worked in Faslane (Scottish Sub base) during the Kursk incident
I remember, I think it was the first anniversary of the accident, maybe 2nd, that Russian families were given a tour of the usually restricted base, our Vanguard class subs, etc
One moment really stuck out to me. Perhaps in my naivety, I kinda assumed the families had wanted to do this but I genuinely couldn’t fathom why. At one point there was a woman crying on a chair. She was so far back from the tour, at first it didn’t click who she was. I kinda assumed she was one of the press who were there. Until she spoke
She muttered something in Russian and said ‘how would you feel?’
I apologised for not understanding what she meant. She explained that her husband had died on the sub and that the families were ‘urged’ (I took this to mean more than asked) to come here and ‘understand’ our submarines - they were to report back what they saw.
I remember her next line so well
‘We who have lost have to come to you after you left our men to die’
The Russians had been very liberal with their excuses. As I’m sure most of you will remember, Britain, France, the US and a few Scandinavian nations all offered to help after hearing the Russian sailors knocking on the sub in morse code (…—-… SOS) but they were told on no uncertain terms that getting involved would be seen as an act of aggression.
This really hit me. I had, for whatever reason, just thought that government controlled media had died with the USSR
I suppose it makes sense it doesn’t just ‘go away’.
I tried to explain this. At first, she said that’s exactly what I would say. I was about to try again before an officer came back to get the woman back on track along with an ‘interpreter’ (state supplied, of course)

That was the day it sunk in that changing the name of a country doesn’t automatically shift its ideology. I suppose that makes sense really, but when you’re so far removed from the fact, and only hearing bit in the news, you don’t think of the nuances of a situation

[raptordriver]

Putin: Tell me in one word how the war in Ukraine is going?
General1: Good!
Putin: Tell me in two words?
General2: Not Good!

[gandolph]

I don't understand how face is saved by saying that the Russian sailors were so inept that they caused or allowed a fire to sink their flagship.
Blaming them for an enemy attack is an insult to those sailors.

[charlesmadison]

“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.
It was their final, most essential command.”
~ George Orwell "1984"

[sirspadille]

50 часов? Мне искренне жаль разум этого журналиста.
Стоит мне включить телевизор дольше, чем на несколько минут, и уже начинаю ощущать как теряю мозговые клетки.

[StanleyKowalski.]

it is easier to fool people than to convince them that they are fooled ( quoted from someone)

[kolasillers]

I feel a guys pain to watch Russian TV for 50 hours. But from other side I was watching USSR tv for 20 years until we broke free( Latvia).

[OlegPasko]

I remember the story of Belarusian protestor, whose legs were brutally broken by police. On TV they showed it was self-injury and he made it himself to accuse police. After the few months, sometimes watching TV and exploring their media, this guys wasn’t sure if this was made by police and maybe he is guilty.

[ABCDEFGHIJKELA...]

I don't think I could deal with sitting thru 50 hours, knowing what I already know. That's a hell of a commitment.

[BogdanOfficalPage]

As a person who lived in russia until a few years ago I can say - that journalist is a trooper. The state TV there is toxic trash that one has to literally endure

[philgroves]

I have operated power boats and sailboats on reservoirs, rivers, lakes (not the same as reservoirs), seas, and the open ocean. I have been through storms (gales, tropical storms, hurricanes, etc.) while onboard. I can tell you sincerely, and without doubt or reservation, the Moscva did NOT sink in a storm. Look at the video - use your own eyes and THINK!! Do you see high winds whipping the water into froth and spray? Do you see wind-rows being formed on the water's surface? Do you see swells and waves topping 15 - 20 feet in height (let alone 2 - 3 feet)? No, the Moscva did NOT sink in a storm due to her damage. She was hit with missiles, she suffered intense, significant, crippling damage, and while the Russian Navy was towing her to another port for salvage (a really bad idea to begin with), she sank because the damage was so severe. Most likely, the Russian Navy KNEW she would sink, so they towed her out into very deep water where her damage would be unseen and invisible for years to come. Bottom line - the Ukrainians sank the Moscva with an extremely well-timed and well-aimed missile attack.

[rohancath]

I watched American tv for my whole life pretty much I need a compensation too

[pootmahgoots]

"Our ship was sunk by our own hands." That inspires a lot more confidence for sure. 👍 Smfh