

That’s mostly because the trustworthy news outlet from those countries don’t publish in English whereas the propaganda is. But you’re right people don’t think there is independent journalism in Russia and China. That is not so much an east/west axis but a capitalist democracy / Communist authoritarianism axis.
I agree the west is becoming less democratic and the quality of life in China greatly improved, but there is severe oppression in China and that you choose to mention the quality of life over the influence people have on their government says a lot about your loyalty to the Chinese rulers.