Gazprom Makes a Move for RuTube

The troubling trend of increasing state control over media in Russia has extended into another platform with today’s news that Gazprom Media is interested in purchasing RuTube – the Russian equivalent of YouTube. As though the misinformation and pro-government cheerleading on NTV weren’t already sufficient, now 150,000 visitors a day can receive their propaganda from streaming online videos. Apparently the media wing of the state gas monopoly will be putting $100 million into acquiring popular internet sites over the next few years.

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Kommersant: Gazprom Media Watches RuTube