AmericasDevelopingDay 2
Pentagon military planner
Hegseth cuts top officers by 20%, removes Lt Gen Sylvia, who failed polygraphs, amid DOJ investigation.
Updated 02:57 UTC, 30 October 2026 · 9 reports from 7 outlets · 5 confirmed · 34 one-source
Top reportFired top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking Iran and Ukraine secrets – Axios
Image: RT
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People, places & organisations
What changed
Last 48 hours, newest first (times UTC)
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Ghost edit RT World News edited "Fired US general accused of leaking military secrets": 3 sentences rewritten
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Ghost edit The Guardian World edited "Hegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks": 2 added
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Where it stands Hegseth cuts top officers by 20%, removes Lt Gen Sylvia, who failed polygraphs, amid DOJ investigation.
43 earlier changes
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New claim Trump said Sylvia had “big problems”
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Where it stands Hegseth cuts top officers by 20%, removes Lt Gen Sylvia, who failed polygraphs.
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Where it stands Cuts to top officers are 20%, Lt Gen Brett Sylvia is removed, Trump promises action in Iran.
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Where it stands Pete Hegseth removes Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia from his post.
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New claim Sylvia has six Bronze Star Medals
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New claim Trump promised to finish the job in Iran
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New claim Sylvia was chief military planner
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New claim Sylvia failed three polygraphs
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New claim Sylvia served for 32 years
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Story opened Pentagon's top military planner is fired.
Two sides
The two media blocs whose accounts of this story differ most, side by side.
Where they part Russia foregrounds potential military action against Iran
Russian state media
RTState mediaSputnikState media
Russian state media centres Hegseth's actions, using terms like 'fired' and 'accused of leaking', and foregrounds the removal of Lt Gen Sylvia, while also mentioning 'alleged leaks of sensitive information' and potential 'military action' against Iran.
European media
The GuardianNon-profit
European media centres Lt Gen Sylvia and his dismissal, using terms like 'alleged leaks' and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, and it foregrounds the actions of US defense secretary Pete Hegseth, while also mentioning the reactions of journalists to the new media policies.
How it’s being told
One card per media bloc. Each summary is written only from that bloc’s own headlines and quotes.
Russian state media
RTState mediaSputnikState media
Russian state media centres Hegseth's actions, using terms like 'fired' and 'accused of leaking', and foregrounds the removal of Lt Gen Sylvia, while also mentioning 'alleged leaks of sensitive information' and potential 'military action' against Iran.
European media
The GuardianNon-profit
European media centres Lt Gen Sylvia and his dismissal, using terms like 'alleged leaks' and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, and it foregrounds the actions of US defense secretary Pete Hegseth, while also mentioning the reactions of journalists to the new media policies.
Middle East state media
Al JazeeraState mediaTRT WorldState media
Middle East state media centres Pete Hegseth's actions, using terms like 'leaked classified information' and 'zero tolerance', and it foregrounds the removal of Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia from his post, mentioning his military awards and the Pentagon's accusations against him.
Asian media
South China Morning PostPrivateThe Times of IndiaPrivate
Asian media centres Hegseth's actions, using terms like 'leaking sensitive information' and 'leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information', and it foregrounds the Pentagon's moves 'restricting media access' and the firing of Lt Gen Sylvia, who 'failed three polygraph tests'.
In their words
What the people at the centre of this story said, word for word, with the article each quote appeared in.
She’s gonna have big problems
big problems … very much looking for leakers
the Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
He’s got some kind of like deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military, … He’s purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it’s going to take a generation to recover from it.
I call it accountability and long overdue
Receipts
Every claim with the verbatim sentence it came from. Tap a claim to see its sources.
Confirmed 5
Reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the actor itself.
The investigation has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action
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“The investigation, which has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action, remains ongoing.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
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“He said the matter has been sent to the Justice Department for “potential further legal action”.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
Trump promised to finish the job in Iran
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“President Donald Trump has promised to “finish the job” in Iran after launching the war with Israel eight months ago and said he would do so after the midterm elections on Tuesday.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
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“Trump has vowed to “finish the job” in Iran after launching the war with Israel eight months ago and said new strikes are an option after the midterm elections next week.”
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
Sylvia failed three polygraphs
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““Sylvia failed three polygraphs which questioned him about leaking classified information,” the Pentagon official said while accusing Sylvia of putting national security at risk.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
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“A senior Pentagon official told Reuters that Sylvia failed three separate polygraph tests, in which he was asked whether he had disclosed classified material.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
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“The official said he had failed three polygraph tests and accused him of putting national security at risk.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
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“The statement claims that Sylvia failed three polygraph tests about leaking classified information.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia from his post
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“US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a senior military strategist at the Pentagon, from his post on the Joint Staff,”
TRT WorldState mediaReportsUS defence chief Hegseth removes senior military strategist from Pentagon
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“United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the director of the Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, for what the Pentagon says is severe misconduct.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
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“Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired US Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia as head of strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a defence official said late Wednesday.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
Hegseth ordered the military to double the cuts to the overall number of top officers to a 20 per cent decrease
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“Hegseth cuts US generals and admirals by 20%, launches autonomous warfare command”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
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“Hegseth said last month that he ordered the military to double the cuts to the overall number of top officers to a 20 per cent decrease to be completed by January 1, 2027.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
One source 34
Only one outlet so far. Shown, never hidden — treat with care.
Hegseth fired three senior Pentagon aides in April 2025
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“In April 2025, Hegseth fired three senior Pentagon aides, Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll, amid an investigation into alleged leaks of sensitive information to the media”
RTState mediaReportsFired top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking Iran and Ukraine secrets – Axios
The US and Israel are preparing to resume strikes on Iran following next week’s US midterm elections
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“Sylvia’s departure comes amid reports that the US and Israel are preparing to resume strikes on Iran following next week’s US midterm elections”
RTState mediaAttributesFired top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking Iran and Ukraine secrets – Axios
US President Donald Trump may take military action if Tehran refuses to accept his terms for a peace deal
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“US President Donald Trump has indicated that he may take military action if Tehran refuses to accept his terms for a peace deal”
RTState mediaAttributesFired top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking Iran and Ukraine secrets – Axios
Sylvia allegedly admitted to being a source for another story criticizing Pentagon leadership
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“Sylvia also allegedly admitted to being a source for another story criticizing Pentagon leadership”
RTState mediaAttributesFired top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking Iran and Ukraine secrets – Axios
The Pentagon declared that its press office was a classified space inaccessible to journalists
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“Under Hegseth, the Pentagon also has carried out a series of moves restricting media access, including requiring that journalists be escorted while on Pentagon grounds and declaring that its press office was a classified space inaccessible to journalists.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
Hegseth fired three aides from his inner circle last year
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“Sylvia’s case is Hegseth’s latest accusation against top Pentagon officials of leaking to the media. He fired three aides from his inner circle last year as part of a broader leak investigation that included polygraph tests.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
Sylvia served as commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025
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“Before arriving at the Joint Staff, Sylvia served as commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, according to his official biography, which has now been taken offline.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
President Donald Trump said, “She’s gonna have big problems”
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“When asked about Sylvia’s firing by reporters Thursday, President Donald Trump said, “She’s gonna have big problems”, incorrectly identifying the male general as a woman.”
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
The Pentagon has accused a newly ousted three-star general of leaking sensitive information to the media
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“The Pentagon has accused a newly ousted three-star general of leaking sensitive information to the media just hours after officials confirmed his removal from a top military planning post.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsPentagon accuses fired US general of leaking sensitive information
Sylvia is not a central planner for the Iran war
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“The official also stressed that Sylvia was not a central planner for the Iran war, saying that responsibility rested with Centcom and its commander, Adm Brad Cooper.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
Trump said Sylvia had “big problems”
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“US president Donald Trump, asked about the firing on Thursday, said Sylvia had “big problems” and that the administration was “very much looking for leakers”.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
The disclosures began as early as June 2025
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“According to the report, the disclosures began as early as June 2025 and continued after the Pentagon tightened restrictions on media access.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
Sylvia failed multiple polygraph tests during the investigation
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“A US official told Axios that Sylvia made the admissions on video after failing multiple polygraph tests during the investigation.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
Sylvia was dismissed by Hegseth on Wednesday
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“Sylvia was dismissed by Hegseth on Wednesday over what the Pentagon described as severe misconduct.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
Lt Gen Brett Sylvia admitted to leaking classified information about the wars in Iran and Ukraine to journalists
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“Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, who headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, known as the J5, acknowledged sharing classified information with two reporters from separate media outlets, according to the report.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsFired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists
Sylvia had consistently rejected accusations that he leaked classified information
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“However, a colleague of Sylvia told the Washington Post that the general had consistently rejected accusations that he leaked classified information, while also acknowledging that he had previously communicated with members of the press.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
Three journalists fired by the Pentagon sued the department in federal court
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“In August, three journalists fired by the Pentagon from the US government-funded news outlet Stars and Stripes sued the department in federal court, arguing their dismissals were illegal and violated their first amendment rights to free speech.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
Dozens of journalists surrendered their press badges
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“Dozens of journalists surrendered their press badges rather than agree to the new media policies, which have been subject to legal challenges.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
Hegseth announced that the Pentagon and the US Department of Justice had created a joint taskforce
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“In July, Hegseth announced that the Pentagon and the US Department of Justice had created a joint taskforce “to identify and prosecute” what he called the “unauthorized disclosure of sensitive” information to the press.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth , has reportedly dismissed Lt Gen Brett Sylvia
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“The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reportedly dismissed Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a high-ranking army strategist serving on the Pentagon’s joint staff, following allegations that he disclosed classified information to the public.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
Pentagon says it has referred leak case to justice department for criminal investigation
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“Pentagon says it has referred leak case to justice department for criminal investigation”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
Department of War has zero tolerance for leaks
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“Sean Parnel, assistant to the defense secretary for public affairs, said earlier on Thursday in a post on X that “the Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information.””
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
Sylvia has six Bronze Star Medals
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“His military awards include six Bronze Star Medals, including one for valour, and a Purple Heart, indicating he was wounded in combat.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
Sylvia was chief military planner
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“The official said Sylvia was the Defense Department’s chief military planner but “was not a central planner for the Iran war”.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
Sylvia leaked classified information to media
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“A Department of Defense official told Al Jazeera on Thursday that Sylvia had been “meeting with journalists outside the Pentagon in order to leak classified information”.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to media
Hegseth took over as defence secretary in January 2025
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“Sylvia’s removal marks another senior military personnel change under Hegseth, who took over as defence secretary in January 2025”
TRT WorldState mediaReportsUS defence chief Hegseth removes senior military strategist from Pentagon
Sylvia served for 32 years
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““The Chairman (of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine), the Joint Staff and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation,””
TRT WorldState mediaReportsUS defence chief Hegseth removes senior military strategist from Pentagon
Sylvia headed the Joint Staff's Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy
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“Hegseth fired Sylvia, who headed the Joint Staff's Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known as the J-5, this week,”
TRT WorldState mediaReportsUS defence chief Hegseth removes senior military strategist from Pentagon
Senator Mark Kelly: “He’s purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it’s going to take a generation to recover from it”
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““He’s got some kind of like deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military,” Democrat Senator Mark Kelly, a former US Navy combat pilot who has been critical of Hegseth, said last month. “He’s purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it’s going to take a generation to recover from it.””
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
Hegseth: “I call it accountability and long overdue”
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““I call it accountability and long overdue,” Hegseth told junior officers and enlisted leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30.”
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions
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“There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
A third US aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are making their way to the region
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“A third US aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are making their way to the region.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
US Army Lieutentant General Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy
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“US Army Lieutentant General Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner
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“US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, a defence official said on Wednesday, the latest in a series of generals to be ousted and one that comes even as President Donald Trump weighed renewed strikes on Iran in the eight-month-long war.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsHegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
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Watch
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Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges accuses Hegseth of 'getting rid of people who may have the courage to push back'
American Military Crisis Explodes, Berserk Hegseth Fires Yet Another Top General | Gravitas
Pentagon shake-up continues: US fires top army general in latest ouster
Pentagon shake-up continues: US fires top army general in latest ouster • FRANCE 24 English
Ghost edits
Changes outlets made to their articles after publishing, caught by re-reading them.
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HeadlineFired US general accused of leaking military secrets
3 sentences rewritten
Removed
Officials reportedly suspect that the general deliberately deleted records of his communications with a reporter while claiming the deletion was accidental.AddedOfficials reportedly suspect that the general deliberately deleted records of his communications with a reporter, though he claimed the deletion was accidental.
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HeadlineHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaks
2 added
AddedA spokesperson for the Department of Justice said in a statement that it “has ongoing investigations related to possible leaks of classified information”.
All sources
9 reports from 7 outlets — with who owns each outlet and who pays for it.
RT State media
RussiaOwner: ANO TV-NovostiPaid by: Russian federal budget
Sputnik State media
RussiaOwner: Rossiya SegodnyaPaid by: Russian federal budget
South China Morning Post Private
Hong KongOwner: Alibaba Group (since 2016)Paid by: advertising + subscriptions
Al Jazeera State media
QatarOwner: Al Jazeera Media NetworkPaid by: funded by the State of Qatar
The Guardian Non-profit
United KingdomOwner: Guardian Media Group, owned by the Scott Trust LimitedPaid by: reader contributions + subscriptions + advertising; Scott Trust endowment
The Times of India Private
IndiaOwner: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (The Times Group)Paid by: advertising + circulation
TRT World State media
TürkiyeOwner: Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)Paid by: Turkish state budget + advertising
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From the Faultline desk
Our analysis pieces on this story.
5 confirmed · 34 one-source7 outletsUpdated