Russia's Radio Sputnik, funded by the Kremlin, airing in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri — As the FBI and other federal agencies look high and low for signs of Russian interference in the 2020 election, Russian propaganda is being transmitted on America's airwaves in Kansas City, Missouri.
Formerly known as Radio Moscow, the Kremlin-funded Radio Sputnik is airing on three local stations and is delivered by Americans from a Washington studio.
U.S. intelligence agencies believe that in 2016, the Russian government used Sputnik and its TV equivalent, Russia Today, to influence American voters and will attempt to do so again this year. Kansas City community organizer Anita Dixon is annoyed by what she's hearing.
"Borderline propaganda, straddle the fence treasonous, that's what this is to me," she said.
The Kansas City Star warned "beware of Radio Sputnik," adding that "Putin uses misinformation do divide." Arnold Ferolito owns RM Broadcasting, which finds air time for Russian state media like Radio Sputnik.
"The American people are not deplorables and they do not have to be forced by our government to tell them what they can or can't listen to or watch," Ferolito said.
Dixon said the divisive content will take its toll. "Once you divide families, once you divide health care, once you divide those things, you will be conquered," Dixon said.
It is debatable whether Radio Sputnik has the power to do that, but it's clearly gotten the listener's attention.
