Vladimir Putin Q&A trailer: This is how all political events should be publicised
Video: The buildup to the latest Vladimir Putin Q&A has all the trappings of a movie blockbuster
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The tired format of PMQs - men jeering, papers waving - is in need of a bit of rejuvenation, and perhaps the latest round of TV debates will do just that.
Yet the British broadcasters and political parties could take a lesson from Russia when it comes to making the most of a political event - even if it is going to be rather formulaic.
President Vladimir Putin is set to sit down for his annual TV Q&A, where carefully-selected questions from the Russian populace are posed to the world's most influential man (well, according to a Time magazine poll anyway).
To gear Russians up for this Putin PR love-in, Russia-24, the state-owned news channel, published a trailer of cinematic-proportions, making the event appear more like a media junket with your favourite film star rather than a man whose penchant for democracy is rather questionable.
Enter warships, fighter planes, flag-waving crowds and the man himself delivering a stirring speech flanked by army men. The video shows Putin meeting with the leaders of Germany and China, and then shows him in a split screen with Barack Obama, the two men sharing a smile amid the tension.
Vladimir Putin's TV Q&A begins at 10am London time (12pm in Moscow).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments