A dinner talk by Professor Tina Burrett
on
Putin’s Mirror: Russian Television and Foreign Policy 2000-2026
This talk focuses on the changing framing of Russia’s main international allies and adversaries on state-backed television during Vladimir Putin’s quarter century in power. Changes in how other states are presented by Russia’s media provide a window into the shifting values and perceptions that underpin Moscow’s foreign policymaking. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin has been widely characterised as a neo-imperialist, resentful of the U.S.-led world order and always hellbent on restoring Russia’s Soviet empire. But analysis of Russian news content from the early 2000s suggests this is an oversimplification, with Putin initially projecting himself as a moderniser willing to do business with the West. By analysing Russian news content in the context of domestic and international political developments, this talk draws out the confluence of events leading to Russia’s estrangement from the West, its alliance with China, and its war in Ukraine.
In addition to discussing Russian media representations of Japan, China, Ukraine and the UK, Professor Burrett
Bio: Tina Burrett is Professor of Political Science at Sophia University, Tokyo. She holds a PhD from Cambridge University. will also comment on other aspects of her research, including Britain’s new prime minister, the Russia-Ukraine war, and populist politics in Europe and Asia.
Her most recent book is Contemporary Prime Ministerial Leadership in Britain and Japan (2023 Palgrave). Her other publications include, The Routledge Handbook of Trauma in East Asia, Press Freedom in Contemporary Asia (both Routledge with Jeff Kingston) and Television and Presidential Power in Putin’s Russia (Routledge). Her new book Russia’s State Media and Foreign Policy 2000-2024 will be published by Routledge in August 2026. The book is available for preorder at: https://www.routledge.com/Russias-State-Media-and-Foreign-Policy-2000-2024/Burrett/p/book/9781032563879
In addition to her academic research, she has worked in the British, Canadian, European and Japanese parliaments.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, Seeptember 8. 2026
Time: 7:00 pm start (Doors open at 6:30 pm.)
Location: Hibiya (Address will be provided to confirmed participants)
Participation fee: 9,000 JPY per person, to be paid IN CASH at the door (Covers event participation and French course dinner. Drinks are not included in the fee. Please purchase any of your choice separately.)
Seating Capacity: Max 6 seats available
Please note that the payment is only by CASH. We do not accept any digital payment or credit card.
RSVP: Please email to Yukari Fujita at veritas@fa.catv-yokohama.ne.jp by Monday, August 31st, 2026. Please state your name, e-mail address, phone number and your affiliation to Harvard (if there is). If you have any dietary restriction, please tell us at the time of registration.
Important Notes:
*This Event will be off the record.
**Note that cancellations after noon on Monday, August 31st and no-shows will be charged the full participation fee above, as we are committing to the venue on a per-person basis. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to comply with this policy. Your understanding of and compliance with this policy are greatly appreciated!
For inquiries about the event, please contact Yukari Fujita at veritas@fa.catv-yokohama.ne.jp