On May 31, the 9^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists continued with the fifth and sixth panel sessions held at the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The moderators of the fifth session were Editor-in-Chief of Orer Magazine Hakob Asatryan (Czech Republic), Head of ArmInfoCenter informational-analytical center Armen Ter-Sargsyan (Russia) and Editor-in-Chief of Arevelq news portal Sako Areian.

Editor-in-Chief of Zham Armenian Magazine Anna Givargizyan (Russia) delivered a speech entitled “Media and Statehood: History, Standards, Trends”. Touching upon the activities of media outlets in the Diaspora, Anna Givargizyan considered them political, educational, cultural and journalistic activities. The editor presented the problems of Diaspora Armenian media outlets, their current hardships and stated that Armenian media outlets of Armenia and the Diaspora continue to strengthen their ties. Anna Givargizyan recommended reviewing the assessment of the Ministry of Diaspora of independent press in the Diaspora, taking into consideration the barriers that independent press faces every day. The Editor-in-Chief of Zham Armenian Magazine also recommended developing clear-cut rules and regulations for the Coordinating Body for Pan-Armenian Forums of Journalists and changing members, if necessary.

Editor-in-Chief of Horizon Weekly Vahakn Karakashian (Canada) delivered a speech devoted to the issues of Armenian media in Armenia and the Diaspora, talking about the challenges in information wars and in the fight against misinformation. The weekly newspaper’s editor considered reflections on Armenian education and upbringing, the claim for the Armenian Cause, as well as maintenance and strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora bonds and the existence of news from Armenia in Diaspora Armenian presses the objectives of Armenian media in the Diaspora. Touching upon the issues of Armenian media outlets in the Diaspora, Vahakn Karakashian stated the lack of subscribers, the augmentation of an audience of foreign language speakers, the demands for information technologies and viewed active cooperation with social media a priority.

Editor-in-Chief of Zartonk Armenian Daily Sevag Hagopian (Lebanon) delivered a speech entitled “Towards 2050: The Linguistic Issue in Armenian Media and Decrease in the Number of Readers: Problems and Recommendations for Solutions”. Sevag Hagopian stressed the threats facing conventional media as print press is declining at a rapid pace. “Print press will survive as long as there is one reader,” Zartonk’s editor stated and added that Armenian media outlets of the Diaspora face problems with Armenian-language readers and jobs for Armenian-speaking employees.

Editor-in-Chief of New Era newspaper Eduardo Nestor Palian (Argentina) talked about the role and importance of the media in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, urging the journalists to continue to disseminate materials devoted to Armenian history and the Armenian State and present Turkey’s efforts for denial to the international community.

Editor-in-Chief of Sardarabad Weekly Diana Der-Garabedian (Argentina) delivered a speech entitled “Issues of the Armenian Press in Argentina”, stating that there are few young Argentine-Armenian journalists and that the way of reporting the news and transmitting information has fundamentally changed due to social demand.

Head of “Miaban” news portal Vahan Babakhanyan (Russia) talked about the “Miaban” (United) project and touched upon the need for the media to organize pro-Armenian lobbying.

In his speech, President of the Union of Journalists of Artsakh Kim Gabrielyan stated that Artsakh has great journalistic potential and that certain Diaspora Armenian media outlets have their correspondents in Artsakh.

Director of AGBU Armenia Dalar Kazanjian presented the reforms in Armenia and the role of media outlets in engaging the Diaspora in those reforms. First, she welcomed the diversity of ideas and the participation of journalists from different countries in the forum. Dalar Kazanjian attached importance to the change of the system of values of Armenian media (professionalism, transparency, inclusivity, vision, duties, systematization, mindset and approaches), stating that Armenian media must become the fourth full-fledged power for Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The fifth session ended with a discussion that featured more speeches. In particular, writer and publicist Hagop Balian emphasized that the issue of repatriation should become the main topic of Diaspora Armenian presses.

The moderators of the sixth session (“The Priorities of the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia”) were Deputy Minister of Diaspora Babken Der-Grigorian, Editor-in-Chief of Ararat Armenian Daily Ani Yepremian (Lebanon), Editor-in-Chief of Sardarabad Weekly Diana Der-Garabedian (Argentina) and Editor-in-Chief of Horizon Weekly Vahakn Karakashian (Canada).

Editor-in-Chief of Arax Armenian Weekly Movses Keshishian (Iran) delivered a speech entitled “The Priorities of the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia: The Yes and No”, stating that there is also a need for a revolution in the Armenia-Diaspora partnership and that a new format of cooperation should be developed.

Correspondent of Lousavor Avedis news website Dikran Pasahbezian (France) recommended presenting a comprehensive package of proposals to the Ministry of Diaspora at the end of the forum.

Co-founder of Yerakouyn and Haikashkharh websites Nairi Meguerditchian urged the newly appointed leaders of the Ministry to turn the love and solidarity of the revolution into fruitful work.

Representative of the “Haikakatsin” Program Vadim Harutyunov (Russia) shared his and the program representatives’ experience in fighting against Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian propaganda in Russia.

Vice-President of the All-Armenian Media Association Gaiane Arakelyan, Editor-in-Chief of Khosnag Armenian Magazine Hampig Mardirossian (Lebanon) and Editor-in-Chief of Aztag Armenian Daily Shahan Kandaharian (Lebanon) talked about the process of repatriation and the peculiarities of its coverage.

Among other speakers were Armenian American journalists Hagop Vartivarian and Lilia Avagyan, Canadian-Armenian journalist Tamar Shahinian, Editor of Haiastan Weekly of Greece Davit Ayvazyan, Kuwaiti-Armenian journalist and publicist Giragos Kouyoumdjian, President of the Armenian PR Association scientific-informational NGO Astghik Avetisyan and others.