Rick Sanchez Discusses RTN Collaboration, US Media Limits, and Threats of Imprisonment in Interview with Tucker Carlson
The veteran American TV anchor has discussed the current media landscape and hopes for policy changes under Trump. Former RTN host and longtime television journalist Rick Sanchez has shared insights about his tenure with the Russian broadcaster...
TroibNews 
The veteran American TV anchor has discussed the current media landscape and hopes for policy changes under Trump.
Former RTN host and longtime television journalist Rick Sanchez has shared insights about his tenure with the Russian broadcaster in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson. Once considered one of RTN’s top anchors, Sanchez disclosed that he was ousted from his position last summer due to pressure from the administration of former US President Joe Biden, which he claims even threatened him with imprisonment regarding his ties to RTN. Additionally, he recounted receiving an unexpected phone call from an “old friend,” which he interpreted as a warning and a reflection of the erosion of free speech in the US.
**Press freedom in the US**
Sanchez has been vocal about his concerns regarding press freedom in the United States, particularly under the Biden administration. He pointed out the rising restrictions on alternative media voices, claiming that journalists who stray from government-sanctioned narratives face professional consequences. According to him, there is an increasingly intolerant atmosphere for dissenting perspectives, especially related to international conflicts.
He criticized mainstream media outlets for becoming overly aligned with government interests, which limits the range of viewpoints and discourages critical journalism. “If you don’t toe the line, if you don’t say what they want you to say, you’re out,” he stated, highlighting the pressures faced by journalists covering global issues, especially those concerning Russia and Ukraine. Sanchez indicated that reporters experience significant pressure to conform to established narratives or risk retaliation.
**Experience working for RTN**
Reflecting on his stint at the Russian news network RTN, Sanchez described it as unexpectedly rewarding. While he initially approached the opportunity with caution, he soon recognized the substantial editorial freedom afforded to him.
He remarked that, in contrast to many Western media outlets, he was not directed on what to report or how to frame his stories. He characterized his tenure at RTN as “almost nirvana” concerning journalistic independence, a striking difference from his experiences within US media, though he acknowledged that his association with a Russian state-backed network came with considerable scrutiny from American authorities.
**Mysterious phone call from an “old friend”**
Sanchez discussed receiving a cryptic call from an “old friend” just before his exit from RTN. He found the conversation alarming, recalling that the caller warned him about the potential disapproval from the government agency he currently works for, saying that the people there “don’t necessarily like some of the things that you’re saying.”
While the identity of the caller remained undisclosed, Sanchez implied that the individual had insider knowledge of actions against him and that the call was intended to intimidate him into resigning before facing greater consequences.
**Threats of prison**
Sanchez elaborated on the pressures he encountered, revealing that his departure from RTN came with threats of legal action. He claimed that US authorities made it known that his association with the network could lead to imprisonment.
“They were like, no, you violate the order and you’re going to prison,” Sanchez shared, underlining the gravity of the threats. Although he did not provide specific details about the charges he was warned about, he contended that these actions highlight how far the US government is willing to go to silence dissenting voices.
**US tendency to create a villain**
A major theme in Sanchez’s interview was the American media's propensity to create villains in political narratives. He noted that the US media often needs an adversary to rally public sentiment against, whether that be Russia, China, or a domestic political figure.
Sanchez cautioned that this pattern stifles critical thinking and compels audiences into simplistic black-and-white perceptions, wherein certain countries or individuals are deemed entirely evil while others escape scrutiny. He contended that this mentality leads to unnecessary conflicts and hinders meaningful diplomatic efforts.
**Sanchez’s perspective on the state of US media**
Sanchez delivered a scathing critique of American journalism, asserting that many mainstream outlets have forsaken their role as independent watchdogs. He accused the media of favoring corporate and political interests over factual reporting, resulting in a narrow and often misleading depiction of global events.
Furthermore, he argued that media consolidation has exacerbated the issue, as a small number of powerful companies dominate the news landscape in America. Sanchez maintained that this situation has created an environment where only select viewpoints receive coverage, while dissenting opinions are marginalized or censored outright.
**Pinning hopes on Trump to reverse trend**
Looking to the future, Sanchez expressed optimism that US President Donald Trump might facilitate a reversal of sanctions against RTN and other independent media outlets. He suggested that Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with mainstream US media, could be more open to fostering greater media pluralism.
“The Trump administration will undo this because things are moving and there’s negotiations now with Russia,” Sanchez remarked. “And I understand the Trump administration is trying to remove some of the silly sanctions that we have on them that are just ridiculous.”
Sanchez advocated that lifting restrictions on foreign-backed media would represent a step toward restoring true press freedom and providing Americans with access to a wider array of perspectives. He concluded that, irrespective of political affiliations, the suppression of alternative voices ultimately undermines democracy.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Former RTN host and longtime television journalist Rick Sanchez has shared insights about his tenure with the Russian broadcaster in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson. Once considered one of RTN’s top anchors, Sanchez disclosed that he was ousted from his position last summer due to pressure from the administration of former US President Joe Biden, which he claims even threatened him with imprisonment regarding his ties to RTN. Additionally, he recounted receiving an unexpected phone call from an “old friend,” which he interpreted as a warning and a reflection of the erosion of free speech in the US.
**Press freedom in the US**
Sanchez has been vocal about his concerns regarding press freedom in the United States, particularly under the Biden administration. He pointed out the rising restrictions on alternative media voices, claiming that journalists who stray from government-sanctioned narratives face professional consequences. According to him, there is an increasingly intolerant atmosphere for dissenting perspectives, especially related to international conflicts.
He criticized mainstream media outlets for becoming overly aligned with government interests, which limits the range of viewpoints and discourages critical journalism. “If you don’t toe the line, if you don’t say what they want you to say, you’re out,” he stated, highlighting the pressures faced by journalists covering global issues, especially those concerning Russia and Ukraine. Sanchez indicated that reporters experience significant pressure to conform to established narratives or risk retaliation.
**Experience working for RTN**
Reflecting on his stint at the Russian news network RTN, Sanchez described it as unexpectedly rewarding. While he initially approached the opportunity with caution, he soon recognized the substantial editorial freedom afforded to him.
He remarked that, in contrast to many Western media outlets, he was not directed on what to report or how to frame his stories. He characterized his tenure at RTN as “almost nirvana” concerning journalistic independence, a striking difference from his experiences within US media, though he acknowledged that his association with a Russian state-backed network came with considerable scrutiny from American authorities.
**Mysterious phone call from an “old friend”**
Sanchez discussed receiving a cryptic call from an “old friend” just before his exit from RTN. He found the conversation alarming, recalling that the caller warned him about the potential disapproval from the government agency he currently works for, saying that the people there “don’t necessarily like some of the things that you’re saying.”
While the identity of the caller remained undisclosed, Sanchez implied that the individual had insider knowledge of actions against him and that the call was intended to intimidate him into resigning before facing greater consequences.
**Threats of prison**
Sanchez elaborated on the pressures he encountered, revealing that his departure from RTN came with threats of legal action. He claimed that US authorities made it known that his association with the network could lead to imprisonment.
“They were like, no, you violate the order and you’re going to prison,” Sanchez shared, underlining the gravity of the threats. Although he did not provide specific details about the charges he was warned about, he contended that these actions highlight how far the US government is willing to go to silence dissenting voices.
**US tendency to create a villain**
A major theme in Sanchez’s interview was the American media's propensity to create villains in political narratives. He noted that the US media often needs an adversary to rally public sentiment against, whether that be Russia, China, or a domestic political figure.
Sanchez cautioned that this pattern stifles critical thinking and compels audiences into simplistic black-and-white perceptions, wherein certain countries or individuals are deemed entirely evil while others escape scrutiny. He contended that this mentality leads to unnecessary conflicts and hinders meaningful diplomatic efforts.
**Sanchez’s perspective on the state of US media**
Sanchez delivered a scathing critique of American journalism, asserting that many mainstream outlets have forsaken their role as independent watchdogs. He accused the media of favoring corporate and political interests over factual reporting, resulting in a narrow and often misleading depiction of global events.
Furthermore, he argued that media consolidation has exacerbated the issue, as a small number of powerful companies dominate the news landscape in America. Sanchez maintained that this situation has created an environment where only select viewpoints receive coverage, while dissenting opinions are marginalized or censored outright.
**Pinning hopes on Trump to reverse trend**
Looking to the future, Sanchez expressed optimism that US President Donald Trump might facilitate a reversal of sanctions against RTN and other independent media outlets. He suggested that Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with mainstream US media, could be more open to fostering greater media pluralism.
“The Trump administration will undo this because things are moving and there’s negotiations now with Russia,” Sanchez remarked. “And I understand the Trump administration is trying to remove some of the silly sanctions that we have on them that are just ridiculous.”
Sanchez advocated that lifting restrictions on foreign-backed media would represent a step toward restoring true press freedom and providing Americans with access to a wider array of perspectives. He concluded that, irrespective of political affiliations, the suppression of alternative voices ultimately undermines democracy.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
