During the sessions of the 8^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists (organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora under the title “Armenian Statehood: Axis of Unity”) held in Yerevan, there were interesting speeches and practical proposals and discussions that will surely serve as a basis for the forums to be held in the future. Hayern Aysor presents excerpts from the speeches that were given during the forum.

Aharon Shkhrdmian

Media and information correspondent of the Armenian Youth Association of Lebanon

The need for a pan-national concept paper in Armenian media

Media is a means for not only enlightening people, but also guiding them, presenting ideas, as well as forming a world view and public opinion. Media outlets of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora are at different levels in terms of their concerns and priorities. Each media outlet has its field, environment, difficulties and ways of solving problems. To what extent is Armenia media carrying out its mission for the nation? With all due respect for the exceptions, unfortunately, we must accept the fact that Diaspora Armenian media outlets aren’t playing the traditional role of leading the Armenian society.

One of the reasons for this is the Internet, which very sharply changed the role and content of Armenian media. Whereas Armenian media used to carry out the mission of restoring the Armenian identity, now most of the content of Diaspora Armenian media outlets is news. There are fewer Armenian readers, and most readers prefer to read news in foreign languages instead of Armenian. Armenian editors and journalists shouldn’t just express their concerns about the media during the forums organized by the Ministry of Diaspora. They should always sound the alarm and lead a struggle against the decline of Armenian media, and yes, if necessary, they should also criticize themselves.

Armenian media has deviated from its unique place in the Diaspora, becoming a propaganda machine, and if only it was just a machine for national propaganda. Diaspora Armenian media outlets are also in poor condition, and print press has started giving way to electronic media in terms of readership. With the pretext of meeting the current demands, Armenian media outlets aren’t aware of the national mission. How can Armenian media have a future when Armenians prefer to read the news of internationally famous newspapers online instead of in newspapers? Have we ever seriously considered these challenges? As far as the media in Armenia is considered, it stands out with several serious articles devoted to moods in society, but…

As free press, Armenian media in Armenia is on the right track. In terms of democracy, Armenia is at a higher level than many post-Soviet countries, countries in Europe and on other continents, but the state of the Armenian media is troubling. To what extent are media outlets of Armenia and the Diaspora committed to the concept papers on Armenian statehood and national security, the just and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the commitment for international recognition of Artsakh’s statehood or the efforts aimed at recognizing and pursuing the solution to the issue of the Armenian Genocide as the greatest crime in the history of mankind?

Despite all this, we must not forget that recreational media has already been replaced by professional media. Nevertheless, the partnership between Armenian media outlets of Armenia and the Diaspora is quite modest. Now more than ever, Armenian media is in search of identity.