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Who is Anastasiia Lapatina? Ukraine journo rejects RT interview over 'dangerous misinformation'

'Very classy. They hardly deserve it, but it compliments your dedication to the high standards of journalist ethics', wrote a user

A Ukrainian journalist rejected an interview request with state-controlled television network, Russia Today popularly known as RT, accusing it of having done "nothing but spread dangerous misinformation" amid Russia invading Ukraine this week. Anastasiia Lapatina shared screenshots of her response to the Russian network on her Twitter account on Wednesday, February 23. 

The journalist captioned the tweet as, "Got an email from RT today". Anastasiia in response to an email from someone identified as James wrote, "I do not and will not ever appear on Russian media networks, as they bear large responsibility for the war in my country which left 14,000 of Ukrainians dead." She added, "RT specifically has done nothing but spread dangerous misinformation," before closing the mail with "Best, Anastasiia."

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In another tweet, the journalist claimed, "To make it more absurd: they also sent me, as examples of the program they wanted me on, their interviews with [former Trump National Security Advisor John] Bolton and [WikiLeaks founder Julian] Assange."

Anastasiia also shared the State-run network's response to her mail which was interestingly polite. James, who seemed to be a spokesperson of RT wrote, "I completely understand your position and appreciate you taking the time to get back to me. I wish you well for the future."

Meanwhile, social media lauded the journalist's decision to reject the interview request from the television network RT. One user wrote, "We have to protect ourselves from propaganda." Another commented, "Food for thought for @AlexSalmond" in reference to Former First Minister of Scotland who continues to host a talk show on Russian state broadcaster RT. Jane Lytvynenko, another Ukrainian reporter tweeted, "Wow RT really hitting up a lot of people today."

One user quoting Joseph Pulitzer wrote, "Principles, convictions and motives are neither sold nor bargained for!". Another user tweeted, "RT should have its licences revoked in the UK, France, US etc. Not because it spreads lies and disinformation - which it does - but because it acts as an arm of the Russian intelligence services. It merely masquerades as a media org." One user wittily wrote, "Well, at least you closed with 'Best',. I'd have closed with 'Regards'". Someone else commented, "Very classy. They hardly deserve it, but it compliments your dedication to the high standards of journalist ethics."