Russian President Vladimir Putin scored a propaganda coup Thursday, when Alex Salmond began hosting a new show on the Russian state-directed RT television network.
It’s a coup, because Salmond isn’t just anybody. Between 2015 and 2017, he was a senior member of the British parliament and between 2007 and 2014 he was the first minister of Scotland. As first minister, Salmond was Scotland’s effective leader in most matters outside of British foreign policy and national security. In short, he was a big deal.
By adding Salmond to his ranks, Putin has weaponized a big name at the heart of Britain’s political establishment.
Of course, Salmond claims his show will be independently produced and that he’ll refuse to take direction from his Russian handlers.
I don’t believe him. Whether subconscious or not, Salmond knows that his lucrative contract will be defined by his ability to deliver on expectations. RT will accept occasional criticisms of Russian policy for the pretense of balance, but beyond that, Salmond will be expected to support the party line. Remember, RT’s model isn’t business-centric, defined by ratings and commercial sales; it’s political, defined by persuasion and the undercutting of western government policy.
Moreover, by adding “The Alex Salmond Show” to its roster, RT lends credibility to the other productions it airs. Salmond makes the network seem more credible, more serious, and less KGB. As a beachhead for persuading more Britons, that’s a big plus. Salmond’s appointment is also well-timed in this regard; counterbalancing Prime Minister Theresa May’s new pledge to take tougher action against aggressive Russian intelligence operations.
Still, Salmond is at least receiving criticism from most of his counterparts in the media. One British news host, Jon Snow, summed up the concerns this week when he asked Salmond, “You don’t think that there is a danger that you are the best thing they’ve ever got since Kim Philby?” Philby, of course, was an MI6 officer who betrayed Britain to spy for the KGB.
And while I personally think Britain’s Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn is the best thing the Russians have got going, Salmond is high up on Putin’s list of British friends.
