the conflict is in some way being normalised, or being prepared for consumption by the programming around those news broadcasts. julia, what s your view of peter s thoughts on that? he is completely on the right track with what he s said. - and i actually heard the russian state media trying to rationalize why- entertainment programmes are no longer available. they re trying to say it s. because people are more interested in news right now clearly they re not telling - the truth about why these - companies and entertainment programmes are no longer available to russians. - and i think that will be. the key for more people to start questioning the information they re getting on state tv, and seeking out alternative information. - and the bbc making those | efforts to make it available will be crucial in that sense. and i wonder whether you, and peter, perhaps you could come in on this first, whether you see what the bbc and others are doing now via newer platforms like tiktok is r
going on in ukraine. and for a time being, at least, the viewers and users of russia s official narratives would buy these explanations. well, olga, you re a russian journalist based in berlin. let s pick up on that last point you make about the creation of narratives, because i guess one aspect of the story, as told through russian media, is the restriction of information. but another crucial aspect is the way that russia is seeking to create its own narrative around this war. let s consider how it s going about that dr ian garner is also joining us. he s a historian who specialises in russian propaganda. and dr garner, as you watch the russians construct their narrative over what they re doing in ukraine, how do you assess its success? i mean, the narrative that they re attempting to construct has old roots
the bbc world service as, you know, an arm of the uk government. but, of course, as our audiences know, we re nothing of the sort we re an independent public service broadcaster funded by the uk licence fee payer. and therefore, that s why bbc news russian information is so widely trusted in the country and, indeed, of course, bbc news ukrainian services inside ukraine. and they ve never been more needed than they are now. so no discussions whatsoever between bbc news and the uk government with regards to how the bbc covers this conflict? it s not the government sjob or position to tell the bbc how to cover the conflict. our editorial independence from the uk government is assured and underlined by the trust our audiences have in us. and you know that as well as i do, ros, because you present output on our international services. and i wonder as we talk, jamie vera, if we could bring you in from tv rain do you think this is an appropriate contribution for a british broadcaster to
through an absolutely vital lifeline service to our audiences inside the country. nonetheless, i m sure you ll be aware that the russian government will see these actions as something that is supporting the western perspective on this conflict, and the western desired outcomes in this conflict. i wonder if the bbc consulted with the uk foreign office before announcing these measures? no, it s something we ve decided to do on our own, very much in line with other circumvention measures we ve used in the past. it s very important to underline that the russian state often seeks to paint the bbc world service as, you know, an arm of the uk government. but, of course, as our audiences know, we re nothing of the sort we re an independent public service broadcaster funded by the uk licence fee payer. and therefore, that s why bbc news russian information is so widely trusted in the country and, indeed, of course, bbc news ukrainian services inside ukraine. and they ve never been more need