Inside Putin's Censorship War: How These YouTubers Are Fighting Back

It’s good to see these people represented in the West as well, thanks Johnny

As a musician myself, I've actually been investigating a bit about this, but from a musical perspective. Turns out the Russian government has been doing this to musicians as well. They are banning the concerts of several artists they don't like. Artists who are speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine are blacklisted. It really makes me sick. Thanks for calling attention to this Johnny!

The list isn't growing every day, it's growing every Friday, we have special "foreign agent's Fridays". And we sincerely congratulate people with this title, because it's like the title of honour, of the person who's telling the truth. Although of course it's giving them a lot of trouble, but also they get a lot of support from their viewers.

As a person who live in Iran under the horrible situation of propaganda and control I feel it by my bones .

I can't express words for how much I love the nuance of this video. How it prompts reflection into our own biases. Setting an example!

I am a Russian journalist and it is a very important video for me and my colleagues, thank you. Actually I am ex-journalist, because several months ago I realized that such work almost completely killed my mental health and seriously affected my physical health. I mean it is impossible not to take to heart everything that Putin and his government have been doing with Ukrainians and Russians. I left the profession, but I bow to all independent Russian journalists who continue to work despite the risk.

"the idea of my country destroying another country and destroying itself". This hit me hard.

What is not mentioned in this video (which is so accurate, btw, it's impressive), that not only journalist are "foreign agents", but anyone can appear in that list. For example, a scientist Ekaterina Shulman, is a foreign agent too. She had a show on the radio about society and politics, she did not tell any news or opinions on events/politics. She teached people what is democracy, how society works and etc.

I always admire people who risk their lives reporting inside of authoritarian nations. Hats off to all journalists that risked their lives to spread the good word

As a Russian, that lives right now in Moscow, I'm fascinated by the accuracy of how you portrayed the state of mass media in my country. Thanks for the video, it is really good.

I am in Georgia right now and went to an "English practice club" last night at a bar. A lot of people wanted to talk to me since I am a native speaker. Everyone else there was Russian. It was like dozens of Russian refugees - idk if you can call them refugees? But young Russians who all fled because they don't agree with the war. It was really interesting to talk to them. A lot of them work remotely for companies in Russia or Europe. A woman I met was telling me that her parents really believe all the Russian propaganda and she's so sad about it.

I love this about Johnny. He is not hesitant to show you his craft, when he talks about media being just a bunch of people feeding you their point of view, he does not exclude himself from the lot, inviting us all to question what we watch or read, even his own material.

That "media commentary moment" is brilliant! it's literally a lesson of how a good and independent journalist has to think to do his job properly, with ethic, to spread an information the most neutral way he can (even if total neutrality is impossible to reach). This is a real educational video about skeptical thinking, we need more and more of this content in this "media jungle" we are living in. Thank you!

It's not just journalists, it's musicians, writers, eco-activists, civil rights organizations. Most of people I followed and supported are now international agents, some are also labled extrimists or unwanted elements. This is scary and horrendous. Most of those people had to leave Russia. But due t sanctions they also got cut off from their savings and youtube monetizations. Thankfully they manage and a million thanks to them for the work they are doing.

The funniest part, that you didn't mention, is that comedian also got the same restrictions. And there even were the situations, when it wasn't possible for them to stay in Russia, cause they would've get arrested. Sooooo, Putin sometimes had something against comedy. That's Russia in todays world. And for example, all the stuff that shocked you, is a common thing for me. And it was a shock, to understand that in developed countries comedians do not get arrested for jokes

14:30 "Every country has totally polarized slanted television" this is so super US focused and just isn't true. In Western Europe it's not that common to have right wing & left wing news outlets, it's much more neutral. It's slowly becoming more polarized, mainly due to US influences, but that is definitely not where the majority of people get their news.

as someone who watches russian youtube from time to time, when you see a video labeled as a "foreign agent", that generally means it's a good video 😂

Unfortunately, as a Turkish dude, this to me feels like a harsh version of what we've been going through for the last 20 years.

Thank you! From the bottom of my heart. For all this hard work. For the open mind. For every little detail. I watch the majority of these people every day and they keep me (as well as a lot of other Russians) sane and seen. Watching you talking to them is like the best version of the universe. This is a masterpiece of the journalism! I wish you and your team to grow and achieve everything you want! Praying for peace and freedom.

Political control of media and information? That's crazy, I can't even imagine that happening in America. /s