In a previous post I highlighted the way Russia pushes its false narratives through using the instincts and processes of Western media against it. Their suspension of the deal on allowing grain shipments from Ukraine has quickly provided another example.
Three headlines illustrate the issue: The Washington Post stated, ‘Russia pauses grain deal after Ukraine strikes warships in Crimea’; AP said, ‘Russia suspends Ukraine grain deal over ship attack claim’; the BBC said, ‘Russia halts grain deal after 'massive' Black Sea Fleet attack’.
So it is Ukraine’s fault then? If they had not attacked the Black Sea Fleet would grain still be flowing to the starving people of Africa? Of course not. Anyone who follows the Ukraine war knows that for several weeks the Russians have been threatening to suspend the deal. https://gcaptain.com/russia-prepared-to-quit-black-sea-grain-deal/
They will also know that even the ships that have left Ukraine have been held up, with a backlog of 150 ships, due to Russian delaying tactics. https://shippingwatch.com/carriers/Bulk/article14522770.ece
So the Russians were looking for a pretext and a way to suspend the deal and blame the Ukrainians and the attack on the Black Sea Fleet, a legitimate military target, provided it. So the Russian explanation is nonsense and transparent nonsense.
Now of course, in the body of the reports, there are caveats, but that really is not the point. Headlines are there for a reason - to gain attention and ram home the core issue.
And how do we think they will play in Africa, where they need that grain to live? Who will they blame? We have already seen that Russian information operations are doing well in Africa and these headlines play into it big time.
Once again, without meaning or wanting to, the Western media is dancing to a Russian tune. It is yet another signal that constant vigilance is needed and just carelessly repeating in your headlines the misleading claims of expert propagandists is not the way to promote and defend Western standards of journalism.