Topic: Rt News

RT reports on the IDF investigation into the shooting of three Israeli hostages who were shirtless and waving a white flag. The report notes that one hostage shouted for help in Hebrew before being killed. The hosts discuss the rules of war and the lack of mainstream media coverage regarding potential war crimes committed by both sides.

Technical difficulties arose when a Microsoft Surface machine required four hours of mandatory updates upon being powered on in Jamaica. Security protocols in Excel and Google triggered suspicious activity alerts due to the geographic location change. Additionally, RT news is blocked on the island, requiring a VPN for access, though T-Mobile roaming service is functional.

Mainstream media coverage of the conflict in Ukraine is characterized as a shift from COVID-19 narratives to war propaganda. CBS Evening News anchor Nora O'Donnell is highlighted for her "pray for Ukraine" sign-off. The discussion contrasts Western media focus on humanitarian heartbreak with reports from RT.

The hosts discuss the availability of RT on streaming platforms like Pluto TV and Roku. They suspect that Viacom-owned Pluto TV will likely remove the channel following the broader trend of de-platforming Russian media. They also comment on the cluttered interface of modern streaming services.

The New York Times is criticized for a "puff piece" claiming Russia is using RT to spread 5G health fears as economic warfare. The hosts point out a conflict of interest, noting the Times' partnership with Verizon to build a 5G journalism lab and the presence of former Verizon executives on the Times' board. They characterize the reporting as a "native ad" designed to protect corporate interests.

CNN's primetime ratings reportedly dropped 26% in April, leading to a discussion on the quality of domestic news versus international alternatives. CNN International, Sky News, and RT are cited as more watchable options for viewers seeking information beyond the Mueller probe. The hosts suggest that domestic networks are failing to correct course despite declining viewership.

The Department of Homeland Security tested a pilot program requiring passengers to remove books and magazines from carry-on luggage for manual inspection. While the TSA claims the measure helps identify sheet explosives hidden in paper, critics argue it allows agents to scrutinize the ideological content of passengers' reading materials.

The Trump administration appointed former Fox News host Heather Nauert as the new spokesperson for the State Department. RT News produced a critical report on the appointment, highlighting Nauert's past television segments involving pheasant hunting and "cougars" to question her diplomatic credentials. The hosts compare her to previous spokespeople like Mark Toner, John Kirby, and Jen Psaki, noting the administration's preference for media-savvy representatives.

An investigation by Bulgarian journalist Dilyana Gaytandzhieva revealed that weapons manufactured in Bulgaria were found in Al-Nusra Front warehouses in Aleppo, Syria. The weapons were reportedly shipped via the Black Sea to Saudi Arabia before being diverted to jihadist groups. A commander from the Free Syrian Army claims that the US-led coalition is aware of these shipments but has failed to intervene.

Senator Mark Warner alleges that 1,000 paid Russian trolls worked to influence voters in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The discussion disputes the SEO strength of Russian outlets like Sputnik and RT News in American search results during the 2016 election.

James Clapper addressed the role of Russian-funded media outlets RT and Sputnik in a multifaceted campaign to disparage the American political system. He described these efforts as "modes" of influence that supplement traditional hacking by exploiting social fissures through fake news and social media. The hosts mock Clapper's use of terms like "fissures in our tapestry" and "footstomp," dismissing the testimony as useless drivel.

Facebook announced a new initiative allowing users to report stories as fake news, which are then sent to third-party fact-checkers for review. An RT news report highlights potential biases among these partners, specifically naming ABC News and the Associated Press as organizations with their own histories of reporting controversies. The segment explores the lack of a universal definition for fake news and the implications of social media censorship.

The hosts read a long list of donors who contributed to the show's value-for-value model, including several "88.88" contributions. Adam Curry mentioned a recent appearance on RT's "Kaiser Report" where he jokingly claimed the No Agenda show is an "official licensing agency" for podcasts. The segment reinforces the show's reliance on its community for financial support.

Adam Curry recounts meeting Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert of RT in Austin, Texas. The encounter included a prank call to John C. Dvorak, referencing their past collaboration on the television show Silicon Spin. The hosts discuss the nature of Keiser's media presence and his recent focus on "fake news" narratives.

RT exposed a Sky News report about Russian mercenaries in Syria as a fabrication involving a professional actor named Alexander Agapov. Agapov secretly recorded his interview process, revealing he was coached to pretend he had served in a private military company. The incident is cited as an example of Western media outlets using theatrical techniques to create anti-Russian propaganda.

RT News coverage highlighted social media conspiracy theories suggesting President Erdogan may have staged the coup to justify a purge of the military. Political cartoonist Carlos Latuff quickly produced imagery supporting the "staged" narrative. The hosts weigh the "Erdogan show" theory against the possibility of a botched NATO or CIA operation intended as a warning to the Turkish leader.

State Department spokesperson John Kirby reacted angrily to questions from an RT reporter regarding U.S. silence on Turkey's actions. Kirby accused the reporter of asking "ridiculous" questions and suggested she should be embarrassed by her line of inquiry.

RT correspondent Gayane Chichakyan reports on the rise of blogger Elliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, as a mainstream media defense expert. Critics, including German forensics expert Jens Kriese, describe Higgins' methods as "reading tea leaves" due to his lack of formal weapons training. The segment highlights Higgins appearing simultaneously on CNN and Sky News to blame pro-Russian rebels for the MH17 crash.

An analysis of ISIS promotional imagery reveals what the hosts claim are staged elements, including brand-new Nike sneakers and clean Toyota trucks in a desert environment. Observations are made regarding the incorrect prayer directions shown in footage and the lack of dust or wear on equipment. The segment suggests the videos are high-production propaganda rather than authentic battlefield documentation.

An RT journalist confronts State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki with graphic images of civilian casualties in eastern Ukraine allegedly caused by Kiev's air strikes. Psaki defends the Ukrainian government's right to maintain order while attributing the root cause of violence to Russian-backed separatists.