Inside RT's Newsroom

Russia Today is one of Britain’s most controversial TV networks. Backed by the Kremlin and based in Moscow, its London newsroom portrays Russia more positively than the mainstream media, and broadcasts an alternative take on current events generally. But RT has been accused of distributing propaganda and ‘fake news’, and has been found in breach of broadcasting rules. Joana Ramiro worked for RT’s web-team, hoping she could originate meaningful journalism aligned with her left-wing perspective. But, as she explains to Olly, she instead found herself in a world of clickbait, ‘churnalism’ and ‘editorial mellowing’. Elsewhere, in this week's Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart explores the trend for flexitarian burgers; considering the US offerings from Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger. At Dirty Bones in Shoreditch, Ollie and Olly wrap their lips around a vegan Moving Mountains B12 burger - and compare it to the restaurant’s original, non-vegan Mac Daddy. Can it compete? Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from being crowned ETO’s Sexpert of the Year, no less - considers a question from a listener who wants to know whether he should be cleaning his sex toy with the powder provided by the sex shop - or whether plain old baby powder would do the trick. The Foxhole is sponsored by our friends at MyCondom.com. This week’s Lifehack comes courtesy of digital marketing supremo Leanne Hickey, offering up her top tips on how to improve your experience of dating apps: don’t ask boring questions, never message people after 10pm, and always post a real, unfiltered photo of your face! The Lifehack is sponsored by Podcast Lounge - the new podcatcher app for Windows 10 devices. Get your free trial at the Windows App Store now. Finally, our record of the week is Somnambulist, from indigenous Canadian outfit nêhiyawak - and it’s got lots of guitars in it. If you’d like to suggest a challenge for Ollie, if you have a question of sex for Alix, or you’d like to share your story with Olly, get in touch via the Feedback form on our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK And, if you’re able to support the show - please do. For the cost of just one pint of beer per month you can help us create thirty quality episodes per year. Visit our website and click ‘Beer Money’. Thanks. See You Next Tuesday! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Joana Ramiro, Leanne Hickey, nêhiyawak. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’, by Django Django. Graphic Design: Jenny Mann Design. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2018.