HOW IMPARTIAL ARE THE ARMENIAN MASS MEDIA
By N. Muradian

AZG Armenian Daily
12/02/2008

Local

How impartial are the Armenian mass media in illustrating the political
events on the very eve of the presidential elections. the chief editors
of "Azg", "Hayeli" and "Yerkrir" newspapers tried to find the answer
to this question during the yesterday discussion at the "Urbat" club.

Vasak Darbinian, editor-in-chief of "Haylel, considers that speaking
about impartiality is ridiculous, as unfair conditions are set against
their candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian.

Editor-in-Chief of "Azg" Daily Hagob Avedikian noted that one part of
the newspapers openly support Serge Sarkisian, and the other half –
L. Ter-Petrosian.

"It appears that the most attention is paid to the election campaign
of Ter-Petrosian. There is no civilized approach in information. Both
the candidates, in some sense, have to solve the same the same
dilemma – to be or not to be. With the little difference that Serge
Sarkisian is trying to save hios own skin, realizing that he is
to face serious problems in case of failing to become a president,
and Levon Ter-Petrosian, whom we support openly both in ‘Hayk’ and
‘Taregirk’, is trying to save the country," stated Vasak Darbinian. He
also declared that the National Television of Armenia is the main
source of disinformation.

"The press is sick, and the disease is not a new one.

Do not blame our society, as our press is not addressed to it. The
society is in the worst conditions nowadays. Partial information
is not information, that is why or society is not interested in
it. The society suffers from this, and that affects the elections,"
said Mr. Avedikian.

"6 years ago was losed the ‘A1+’ TV-Channel. We would have
quite a different TV company if it still existed," said "Hayk"
editor-in-chief. Hagob Avedikian argued that in any case the situation
would be the same and thesociety would be deprived of the opportunity
of receiving correct information.

Answering whether, finally, the press spreads rather propaganda or
information, Mr. Darbinian said that his reporters are given the
opportunity to express themselves freely.