[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_WYLkLRHIE]
One day before the rally by Armenian opposition, where the Ex-President of the Country – Levon Ter-Petrossian, now a probable presidential candidate for the 2008 elections is going to make a speech, Haylur reporter Tatevik Nalbandyan has gone on the streets of Yerevan – asking people’s opinion about the Former president.
Interestingly, although there are generally two quite opposing views in the country about the former President, with some seeing him as the only viable alternative to the current ruling elite, the material has been designed like an anti Levon Ter-Petrossian propaganda piece, showing only negative opinions, and not a single reference to the other side.
Needless to say, that this falls far below the criteria of objective journalism, and is especially worrying, because it was broadcast by the Public TV of Armenia, which is supposed to serve the public interest and reflect the Armenian society as a whole, and not just the ruling elite and its supporters.
And although my personal attitude to the Former President is negative, I’d like to have a chance of listening the opposite camp as well – after all, this is what the media in a democratic society is obliged to do: to help its citizens make an informed choice, no?
Artur Papyan
Journalist, blogger, digital security and media consultant
4 Comments
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“in a democratic society…” – yes. How far we are from being called as such! Our Public TV has always been ‘Public’ by name, but never by essence. And Tatevik Nalbandyan has never been a journalist per se but rather a spokeswoman of current administration. She never had credibility, so nothing to lose, I suppose. And this was one of her weakest performances, she had far better ‘masterpieces’ in past, more to come, for sure. Simply disgraceful.
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