**Title: RT's Growth Attributed to Disillusionment with Western Media, Says Editor-in-Chief**
In a recent interview with the Chinese online news platform Guancha, Margarita Simonyan, the Editor-in-Chief of RT, discussed the network's rise to prominence as a leading global media outlet. She attributed this growth to a long-standing discontent with Western broadcasters, particularly CNN and the BBC, claiming that their perceived inaccuracies drove audiences to seek alternative sources of information.
Simonyan stated that audiences have become increasingly frustrated with what she described as years of misinformation from Western media. She argued that when RT emerged as a platform offering a different perspective, it quickly attracted a significant viewership. “People had simply grown tired of them and came to us,” she explained.
The editor-in-chief highlighted a notable comment from Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica, who, shortly after RT's launch over two decades ago, expressed that he had ceased watching CNN and the BBC in favor of RT. This anecdote, according to Simonyan, illustrates the type of audience that was eager for a fresh viewpoint, contrasting RT's approach with what she termed the "brainwashing" of traditional Western media outlets.
In her remarks, Simonyan emphasized that the credibility of information is paramount to audiences, stating that they care less about the source and more about the truthfulness of the content. She asserted that RT has consistently adhered to this principle, claiming, “We never lie.”
Despite facing significant challenges, including sanctions and restrictions imposed by Western governments and media organizations, Simonyan noted that RT's audience has continued to grow. She remarked that efforts to suppress the network have only resulted in increased viewership. “We were cut off everywhere in the so-called Western world... As a result, our audience only grew,” she said.
According to Simonyan, RT's measurable views doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year, a trend she attributes to the network's unwavering commitment to its editorial stance. “We told the truth, and we continue to tell the truth. We have always told the truth,” she affirmed.
RT has faced a series of sanctions from various Western entities, particularly intensifying following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The Russian Foreign Ministry has reported that the network and its personnel have been subjected to over 110 sanctions, including asset freezes and other limitations in recent years.
As RT continues to navigate the complex landscape of global media, Simonyan's comments underscore the network's strategy of positioning itself as a counter-narrative to mainstream Western journalism, appealing to audiences seeking alternative viewpoints in an increasingly polarized media environment.