- The organization, Rossiya Segodnya, hopes to restore a “fair attitude to Russia in every country in the world,” according to court records.
For now, Radio Sputnik only broadcasts in two American cities: Kansas City and Washington D.C., where its programming has aired since 2017.
“We’d love to broadcast in all major U.S. markets,” a Radio Sputnik spokesperson told KCUR via email. “But unfortunately, U.S. authorities are working really hard to prevent us from doing so.”
Radio Sputnik already leases time on WZHF Washington (1390) and the Reston VA-licensed translator W288BS at 105.5 FM under a similar arrangement between RM Broadcasting and WZHF owner Multicultural Radio Broadcasting and translator owner John Garziglia. The format has repeatedly come under fire as a propaganda arm of the Russian government. The stations air a disclosure that says the programming is on behalf of Rossiya Segodnya, telling listeners additional information is on file at the Dept. of Justice. That’s because RM Broadcasting was required to file as a foreign agent after losing a court fight with the government last May. The filing shows Rossiya Segodnya paid more than $1.43 million to clear Radio Sputnik on the Washington stations.