US political pundit Tucker Carlson “is not a fair journalist”, according to a senior MEP within the European Conservative and Reformist group.
Talking to Brussels Signal, Czech politician Alexandr Vondra criticised the former Fox News TV anchor’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin as being “too soft” and that Carlson allowed him to “get away” with various historical inaccuracies.
“Tucker is not a fair journalist. He is an ideologue,” the ECR representative told Justin Stares, Head of News at Brussels Signal.
Vondra added that Carlson frequently enjoyed “spinning” stories to suit his own agenda. He said that alleged habit had resulted in him giving “space” for Putin to air his Kremlin propaganda, including numerous “false statements” about European history.
“For example, there was a statement that we should blame Poland and not Hitler for World War,” Vondra said.
“It’s nonsense. It’s a lie. And unfortunately, Tucker Carson was not able even to jump into that.”
Vondra did reject suggestions that Carlson should be reprimanded over the interview, denouncing calls by some MEPs that the American journalist should be sanctioned.
The Czech politician argued that Carlson had “every right’ to pursue the interview, as is central to the Western ideals of a free society.
He added that, despite the interview’s flaws, Carlson did give those who tuned in an insight into Putin’s position on Ukraine. Hearing the Russian leader’s purely propagandistic statements was probably beneficial to listeners in Europe.
“You need to know your enemy. You need know your competitor,” the Vondra said.
“We are a free society and we should be glad to have the opportunity to know about these ideas, even about the propaganda of your enemy.”
Tucker Carlson made a surprise appearance in Madrid last night, when the conservative US news host joined protests against Spain’s proposed Catalan amnesty law outside Socialist Party headquarters. https://t.co/19NVG6oFmf
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 14, 2023
Vondra’s criticism of Carlson’s interview appeared more measured than some viewpoints expressed by others in the European Parliament.
Veteran RENEW MEP Guy Verhoftsadt suggested earlier in February that the US pundit should face European Union sanctions over the interview.
“As Putin is a war criminal and the EU sanctions all who assist him in that effort, it seems logical that the External Action Service examine his case as well,” the Belgian politician told Newsweek, suggesting that a “travel ban” in particular could be imposed.
The European Commission has since stated it was not “currently” examining the possibility of hitting Carlson with any form of sanction over the broadcast.
“Currently there are no discussions in the relevant EU bodies linked to this specific person,” said EC spokesman Peter Stano.
The full Brussels Signal interview with Alexandr Vondra can be found on the site’s homepage.
Guy Verhofstadt and allied MEPs are pushing – again – for federalist reforms of the EU treaties.@CristianTerhes I @guyverhofstadt I @JSaryuszWolskihttps://t.co/tnHRR21UvK
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) September 15, 2023
