QUESTIONABLE SOURCE
A questionable source exhibits one or more of the following: extreme bias, consistent promotion of propaganda/conspiracies, poor or no sourcing to credible information, a complete lack of transparency, and/or is fake news. Fake News is the deliberate attempt to publish hoaxes and/or disinformation for profit or influence (Learn More). Sources listed in the Questionable Category may be very untrustworthy and should be fact-checked on a per-article basis. Please note sources on this list are not considered fake news unless specifically written in the reasoning section for that source. See all Questionable sources.
- Overall, we rate Sputnik News Agency – India Questionable based on the frequent promotion of conspiracies and pro-Russian propaganda, as well as the use of poor sources and numerous failed fact checks.
Detailed Report
Reasoning: Russian Propaganda, Conspiracy, Lack of Transparency, Some Fake News
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: VERY LOW
Country: Russia
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: TOTAL OPPRESSION
Media Type: News Agency
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
History
Sputnik News Agency – India is the Hindi-language equivalent of Sputnik, a Russian news agency and radio broadcaster that publishes online stories, radio shows, and videos. In 2013, via a presidential decree by Vladimir Putin, the radio station Voice of Russia and RIA Novosti news service was abolished and replaced by Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today, not to be confused with RT). In 2014, Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) launched Sputnik, and conservative news anchor Dmitry Kiselyov was appointed as Director-General of Rossiya Segodnya. Kiselyov is known for ultra-conservative views and anti-gay comments.
According to its about page, Sputnik describes itself as “The agency covers global political and economic news targeting an international audience.” Sputnik is based in Moscow.
Read how the Russian Government influences Media.
Funded by / Ownership
Sputnik News Agency – India is owned and funded by the Russian Government to promote Russia’s image abroad. The Sputnik news service produces over 1,500 news items daily and around the clock that is available to subscribers via the web terminal and mobile app. The website also serves online advertising.
Analysis / Bias
Sputnik is often accused of reporting fake news, spreading misinformation, and being a “Kremlin Propaganda Machine” by European and American media outlets. In 2017, the FBI launched an investigation into Sputnik for a potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
In review, Sputnik News Agency’s coverage regarding American Politics leans right and is consistently pro-Trump/conservative: “FBI Memo Implies Dossier on Trump Russian Collusion Funded by Clinton.” Sputnik also frequently uses strongly loaded emotional wording in headlines such as this: “WATCH: Philly’s New Year Parade Act Sees Trump, Putin Fight Over ‘Pee Tape'”
Sputnik News Agency routinely publishes articles that promote conspiracy theories, such as those about the murder of Seth Rich, which fact-checker Snopes has debunked. Sputnik also employs conspiracy theorists such as former Breitbart writer Lee Stranahan, who was hired as co-host of a radio show for Sputnik Radio, called “Fault Lines with Nixon and Stranahan.” Lee Stranahan also appears as a guest on Alex Jones’ Infowars program, which is famous for promoting outrageous right-wing conspiracies.
When it comes to sourcing, Sputnik occasionally uses credible sources such as Reuters and CNN; however, they also source from known conspiracy sites such as Infowars: “InfoWars Alex Jones Talks Brexit, Freedom of Speech in US, Political Correctness” and “Anonymous Exposes UK’s Hybrid Warfare Project.” Further, they frequently source their own articles or they use large blocks of quotes.
Failed Fact Checks (Sputnik)
- Sputnik Falsely Blames India’s Sell-Off of US Securities on ‘Weaponization of the Dollar’ – FALSE
- Sputnik Falsely Accuses UN of Supporting the White Helmet Disinfo Campaign Sputnik, Itself, Spreads – FALSE
- Sputnik and Zvezda Falsely Claim Hitler’s Mein Kampf is more popular than Harry Potter in Latvia – FALSE
- Is the US Evacuating IS Members from Syria? – FALSE
- Sputnik: Nevada Declared’ State of Emergency’ Over Marijuana Shortage – FALSE
Source: https://sputniknews.in/
Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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