Taking down the West

Re: “Media microphones”, (Postbag, Feb 3).

A Johnsen waxes lyrical about a website called Landdestroyer, claiming that it offers broader and more in depth reporting than the Thai media, including the Bangkok Post.

However, what Mr Johnsen does not tell us is that this is one of a group of interlinked websites based in Moscow, and it is clear from the content of their articles and reports, which are replete with conspiracy theories, half truths, lies, omissions and distortions, that they are all active participants in the current Kremlin drive to besmirch Western governments, organisations and interests by disseminating misinformation and propaganda via a network of online sites.

A favourite tactic of these websites, as Mr Johnsen has discovered, is to make allegations about the funding of organisations and individuals seeking to promote the noble ideals of democracy, freedom of speech and respect for human rights, yet they fail to divulge the source of their own funding. Mr Johnsen might like to reflect upon that, and upon something else: The Bangkok Post

published Mr Johnsen’s letter, even though it was critical of the newspaper’s reporting. Would Landdestroyer publish a similarly critical letter from one of its readers? No, not a chance. I would advise anyone wanting to read their output to do so with caution, and with a considerable degree of scepticism.

ROBIN GRANT