### Parallels Between Trump and Putin: An Exiled Russian Journalist’s Perspective
Freedom of speech in Russia was first choked not by censorship alone, but primarily by market forces. Capitalist mechanisms ultimately proved stronger than formal government restrictions. Ownership of media concentrated in a few hands, and this economic shift set the stage for the state's later direct control.
When Putin's government moved to silence press freedom, little resistance remained. Many outlets had already been weakened by harsh economic conditions or had surrendered independence in exchange for survival. The Kremlin then completed the process with legal tools and aggressive pressure, ultimately stifling dissenting voices.
A similar pattern is now visible in the United States. Some major media organizations are dominated by financial interests that favor sensationalism over substance. This encourages partisan coverage and erodes public confidence in journalism. Former President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked the press, labeling negative reporting as “fake news.” Such rhetoric undermines trust and can enable further political control.
As someone who experienced these changes firsthand in Russia, I am concerned by the American trend of media consolidation and growing hostility towards journalists. It feels alarmingly familiar. Democratic societies risk losing their independent media not only through laws, but also through economic pressures and deliberate attacks on credibility. Defending press freedom requires vigilance against all these threats, not just explicit censorship.
> "Freedom of speech in Russia was strangled first and foremost by capitalist mechanisms, which proved to be an unbeatable force before government censorship."
> "As someone who has lived this scenario before, I see worrying echoes now in the rhetoric and conditions facing American media."
#### Author's Summary
Having witnessed the suppression of Russian media, the author highlights worrying similarities with current American trends, urging careful protection of press freedom against both economic and political threats.
more
inews.co.uk on MSN — 2025-12-01