October 20^th marked the launch of the 8^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists, which is organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and is being held under the title “Armenian Statehood: Axis of Unity”. The opening ceremony featured speeches by the representatives of several Armenian media outlets of Armenia and the Diaspora. The journalists are attending the forum to discuss many issues related to the field of media and express their concerns, and they will definitely find the paths to solve those issues through cooperation. These were the issues that I discussed with Director of “Armenpress” Armenian News Agency Aram Ananyan for Hayern Aysor.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Ananyan, I read your speech entitled “The Future of Journalism: Modern Media Trends in the Context of the Establishment of a Unified Pan-Armenian Information Network”. Indeed, the future of journalism is a major topic, but the present of journalism is as important. What is the major issue of your concern?

Aram Ananyan: Journalism is the unique profession that is in the focal point of the present, the past and the future. The more and the faster changes take place in the world around us, the more journalism moves towards the future. Of course, this does not mean that we need to lose our heads and make predictions instead of recording the truth and reality. It means that the issues that we will be facing in 5 or 15 years are becoming current at a more rapid pace. In this sense, there are five major trends, one of which is the development of technologies. The second, which is clearly evident, is the mad struggle for content. The third is the growth of the number of media outlets that runs parallel to the development of technologies. The fourth is the change of the State-media-business formats, and the fifth is one of the most important ones in terms of the profession, that is, the problems with ethical journalism that are also changing. This is the scope of issues that I address because those global trends have an impact on pan-Armenian media in this or that way.

Karine Avagyan: Being born to and raised in the family of well-known intellectual and patriot Levon Ananyan, I think you also inherited those values, and you, as an Armenian and the head of a media outlet, must surely be concerned about the state of the Armenian language in the media.

A. A.: Of course, I am concerned. The number of media outlets has grown, and that definitely has a negative impact on the quality of language and the news that is provided because the lack of balance of supply and demand has led us to a reality where editors and the heads of media outlets don’t have many opportunities to find good specialists. I must also say that many media outlets also have little funding, and this also creates more restrictions, but this can’t be a justification and shouldn’t hurt the language and the Armenian heard in the media. Each person who sees himself in the media must be very responsible for the Armenian language.

Karine Avagyan: Do you agree with the view that the Internet and websites have left print media aside?

A. A.: I think history has shown that no print media or other means of communication has disappeared. If a media outlet has something to say or do, it will never disappear. The carriers and the technologies might change, but there will always be media outlets offering unique, interesting and substantial materials, regardless of the carrier. The problem is not the carrier, but the content.

Karine Avagyan: How important do you think the forums are? Are they very effective?

A. A.: This is already the eighth forum and it has coincided with the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia, and this is also very symbolic. The fact is that such formats of conference are in high demand. We are not the only ones holding forums in such formats. “Armenpress” is one of the media outlets of Armenia with the largest involvement in the international arena. We have bilateral relations with about 20 news agencies, are a member to several international media organizations and see how our colleagues organize such forums in their respective countries. So, such forums are in demand, and I expect the discussions to be as current because the title implies consolidation around Armenian Statehood.

Interview by Karine Avagyan