- A radio station in Missouri is airing a Russian radio program full of state propaganda.
- Peter Schartel says he is exercising free speech as he airs the pro-Russian content amid the invasion of Ukraine.
- The radio program, Radio Sputnik, is produced by a US division of the Russian-run media group Rossiya Segodnya.
A small Missouri radio station is airing a Russian radio program full of state propaganda amid the invasion of Ukraine.
Peter Schartel airs the Russian program Radio Sputnik every day at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from his station, KCXL Radio, in Liberty, Missouri.
"America is a very different country than it used to be. We used to be a country of freedom, job, opportunity, and equality. Now, we are a country that looks down upon traditional values. We are a country that puts its citizens second to citizens of other countries," the home page of the radio station reads.
Schartel started airing Radio Sputnik in early 2020, and since then, he has been accused by critics of being a traitor for promoting propaganda and disinformation, according to The Associated Press.
"Some will talk to me, but others will still call me a piece of whatever," Schartel said, per the AP. "What I am thankful for is we are still living in a country where they can call me up. Even if they aren't thinking about free speech they're exercising that right."
Schartel's station is one of only two broadcast companies in the US that airs the program, which is produced by Rossiya Segodnya, which is operated by the Russian government, according to the AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine on February 24, which has since left thousands dead and many more as refugees. The Russian forces appeared to have thought they would face little resistance on their two-day mission to capture the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, and they have since faced massive losses. The West has also levied sanctions against Russia and Putin's inner circle.
The National Association of Broadcasters issued a statement earlier this month criticizing Schartel's actions, calling on broadcasters to stop carrying programs tied to Russia.
"While we know that airings of such programs are extremely limited, we believe that our nation must stand fully united against misinformation and for freedom and democracy across the globe," the organization said in a statement.
The NAB added that despite their support for the freedom of speech, the First Amendment "does not prevent private actors from exercising sound, moral judgment."
On Schartel's KCXL, the station claims that the United States is "a country that, rather than speaking the truth, we hide it, in fear of being 'offensive.'"
"At KCXL 102.9fm and 1140am, we bring you the truth. We tell you the things that the liberal media wont tell you. We make it our goal to inform our listeners on the issues that matter. We are your information station!" the home page reads.
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