...why would A1plus do it?
The article published by A1plus today was entitled: "Even Ethnic Minorities Won't Believe in Fair Elections". Much as I respect and sympathise with my friends from A1plus, I think this policy of continuously speaking of expected forgery of elections and depriving the potential voter of any hope and motivation to vote is dramatically wrong. Moreover, I think, that the only party who’d be interested in instilling such attitudes among the voting age citizens of Armenia (regardless of their ethnicity) are the pro-governmental forces.
I have covered the issue of pre-electoral morals at Blogrel some time ago, and I want to stress again, that unless A1plus and a number of other pro-opposition media are explicitly working in favor of Serge-Tsarukyan tandem (which they're not), they should quit this type of coverage and try to analyze a little more about social processes going on in the country from a "vague possibility of positive change" persepctive. We have been discussing this issue at the Blogrel in "Armenian Media Shape Up for the Election Battle" and Onnik Krikoryan's post called "Self Sustainability & the Independent Media", and as I've said previously, and want to stress again: this is all a problem of professionalism in the Armenian media, who don't seem to take enough time to analyze the Armenian social landscape carefully, acting impulsively and doing more harm then good. At any rate - the perspectives look good gloomy with Armenia Ranking Very Low on the Global Integrity Index. The clock is ticking, and we can only be sure after May 2007.
I have covered the issue of pre-electoral morals at Blogrel some time ago, and I want to stress again, that unless A1plus and a number of other pro-opposition media are explicitly working in favor of Serge-Tsarukyan tandem (which they're not), they should quit this type of coverage and try to analyze a little more about social processes going on in the country from a "vague possibility of positive change" persepctive. We have been discussing this issue at the Blogrel in "Armenian Media Shape Up for the Election Battle" and Onnik Krikoryan's post called "Self Sustainability & the Independent Media", and as I've said previously, and want to stress again: this is all a problem of professionalism in the Armenian media, who don't seem to take enough time to analyze the Armenian social landscape carefully, acting impulsively and doing more harm then good. At any rate - the perspectives look good gloomy with Armenia Ranking Very Low on the Global Integrity Index. The clock is ticking, and we can only be sure after May 2007.
Labels: Elections, Media, Minorities, Opposition
posted by Mediapitek at
12:45
6 Comments:
Well, I suppose the reason is that everybody is expecting the elections to be falsified and there's little or nothing apart from dclarative statements to make anyone expect anything else.
However, I suppose the only thing I'd like to see is more reports on why civil society, including voters, should protect their votes and actually value them. Not for a sack of potatoes or 3,000 drams or less, but because the future is in everybody's hands.
Still, you're right on the impartial and professional approach that's needed as the election clock ticks down. Indeed, I've had to re-evaluate my own 2007 parliamentary election monitor and it will become more original and concetrate on what's being said by the major players involved.
Even so, I think that the opposition media is right in raising concerns, although ultimately, whether the elections are falsified are up to those involved -- and on all sides. What does irritate me, however, is how the press is reporting the U.S., Europe etc saying they must be more democratic.
In Armenian terms, this usually means that people expect the international community to react to falsifications and illegalities when in reality, the only way democracy will come to Armenia is when people within the country demand that it does.
this is not really relevant to what you said Onnik - but I decided to post the link to this article, as its a very good illustration of what potential Blogging and Online media will ultimately have around the world:
Americans embrace politics online
Dear blogger, it is very nice to have a blog to discuss the political life of Armenia, and in English (to make it more accessible for Armenians I assume:). do you have Armenian audience from Armenia or none cares there?
I find A1+ article very up to date as minority groups in Armenia do not quite enjoy their ethnic renaissance nowadays, and if the biggest ethnic minority group has a fear to speak put who they support during the elections it is a big reason to be concerned about I think.
And do we speak about ethnic minorities only? Is it the sweet consensus between fashionable subject of minorities and national traditions? It would be very nice to hear that other minority groups like gay/ lesbian community, religious minorities etc in Armenia, like in other civil societies, could get organised and express their point of view and stand for a candidate who would support them. I believe they would do that just to avoid militarization of the country and of course without having the fear of one day becoming enemies of anyone.
Grigor Simonyan
During the last presidential elections when I was assisting OSCE observers, OSCE observers found in Azatan village 250 votes from another candidate that were counted for the present president and it was of course reported. In the OSCE report available online they were very but in the evening when i was watching the news on the national 1st TV channel, I was surprised to hear that: 'OSCE considered elections fair and reported that the boxes for elections were designed small and they were not transparent from four sides'. And a question for me, which is more ethical for me as an Armenian, to conceal the sense of shame of falsifying the elections or speaking out, very much out:)
In response to Grigor Simonyan's comment I am launching an Armenian Language blog, called "A Citizen's Diary" - where I will be posting translated versions of some of my posts here. Morover, I will be discussing with other bloggers the possibility of translating and using their materials from time to time as well.
Translating you posts and launching blogs in two (maybe more) languages, and producing competent information is what media is doing or at least is supposed to be doing. In the age of blogging and digital technologies the role of journalist seems to be reduced to the point that materials on different blogs have been cited by them. Do you mean educational centres training journalists need to be closed down, that this is the end of journalism as a profession?
GS
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