What’s happening at Russia Today? Abby Martin rebukes Russia, Liz Wahl quits on-air
The story about what is happening in the Ukraine is not restricted to Putin vs Obama or the Russian troop build up.
Over at the state sponsored media giant, Russia Today, or RT, the anchors working in America are responding to what Russia is doing in a dramatic way.
First on Monday, RT American anchor, Abby Martin spoke in harsh terms against Russia on the air.
At the end of her show she said, “From her heart” (WATCH HERE)
“I can’t say enough how strongly I am against any state intervention in a sovereign nation’s affairs,” she said closing, Breaking the Set.
Related: Liz Wahl cites Ron Paul interview on Anderson Cooper
“What Russia did is wrong,” she said. “Military intervention is never the answer, and I will not sit here and apologize or defend military aggression.
“Furthermore, the coverage I have seen of Ukraine has been truly disappointing from all sides of the media spectrum and rife with disinformation,” Martin said and then said good-bye.
Martin’s “independence” drew the ire of her bosses at RT. In an official RT statement they said:
“Contrary to the popular opinion, RT doesn’t beat its journalists into submission, and they are free to express their own opinions, not just in private but on the air. This is the case with Abby’s commentary on the Ukraine.
“We respect her views, and the views of all our journalists, presenters and programme hosts, and there will be absolutely no reprimands made against Ms Martin.
“In her comment Ms Martin also noted that she does not possess a deep knowledge of reality of the situation in Crimea. As such we’ll be sending her to Crimea to give her an opportunity to make up her own mind from the epicenter of the story.”
In response to the Crimea comment, Martin said via Twitter, “I am not going to Crimea despite the statement RT has made.”
The next evening, Russia Today anchor Liz Wahl announced her resignation on air (WATCH HERE).
The segment went as follows:
“Last night RT made headlines when one of our anchors went on the record and said Russian intervention in Crimea is wrong and indeed, as a reporter on this network, I face many ethical and moral challenges,” she said.
“Personally I cannot be part of a network funded by the Russian government which whitewashes the actions of Putin,” Wahl said and added: “I’m proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth, and that is why after this newscast I’m resigning.”
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