U.S. diplomat George Kennan sent the famous “Long Telegram” from Moscow in 1946. Though describing the Soviet government at that time, it is still very relevant to Putin’s disinformation campaign today, both in Russia and abroad. And to Trump. And Fox fans.
“Many of them are too ignorant of outside world and mentally too dependent to question [apparent omission] self-hypnotism, and who have no difficulty making themselves believe what they find it comforting and convenient to believe. Finally we have the unsolved mystery as to who, if anyone, in this great land actually receives accurate and unbiased information about outside world. In atmosphere of oriental secretiveness and conspiracy which pervades this Government, possibilities for distorting or poisoning sources and currents of information are infinite. The very disrespect of Russians for objective truth—indeed, their disbelief in its existence—leads them to view all stated facts as instruments for furtherance of one ulterior purpose or another…”
U.S. diplomat George Kennan sent the famous “Long Telegram” from Moscow in 1946. Though describing the Soviet government at that time, it is still very relevant to Putin’s disinformation campaign today, both in Russia and abroad. And to Trump. And Fox fans.
“Many of them are too ignorant of outside world and mentally too dependent to question [apparent omission] self-hypnotism, and who have no difficulty making themselves believe what they find it comforting and convenient to believe. Finally we have the unsolved mystery as to who, if anyone, in this great land actually receives accurate and unbiased information about outside world. In atmosphere of oriental secretiveness and conspiracy which pervades this Government, possibilities for distorting or poisoning sources and currents of information are infinite. The very disrespect of Russians for objective truth—indeed, their disbelief in its existence—leads them to view all stated facts as instruments for furtherance of one ulterior purpose or another…”