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LACK OF TV COVERAGE OF GYUMRI TRAGEDY IN RUSSIA RAISES QUESTIONS IN ARMENIA
News | 16.01.15 | 13:40
Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern
Leading Russian television channels kept silent on the events
unfolding in Armenia at the beginning of this week as a serviceman
of the Gyumri-headquartered Russian military base was arrested and
charged with murdering a six-member local family. This lack of coverage
of what appears to be major news also for the Russian audience has
raised questions among media experts in Armenia about the level of
censorship and priorities at Russian television companies.
It was not until Thursday that Russia's Rossiya-24 finally presented
news from Gyumri where the mass family murder allegedly committed
by the Russian soldier stirred a large wave of public indignation,
considering the fact that the key suspect is still kept in Russian
custody.
Since Monday, when the heinous crime was committed, from Russian
media only news websites and some non-central television channels
published information on it. While leading televisions like First
Channel, Rossia, and others did not inform their audiences about the
developments in their newscasts.
This appeared strange to many in Armenia, considering that Russia
has 3,000 troops stationed in the South Caucasus country and an
extraordinary event with the involvement of the Russian military base
has happened.
Levon Barseghyan, editor at the Gyumri-based Asbarez Club of
Journalists, however, is not surprised at the situation, as he thinks
it is has become a pattern on Russian television, something that he
says contradicts the basic principles of journalism and free speech.
"They believe that it is a disgrace for them, and I think that there
would be nothing disgraceful about the news if they did show it, as
truth is dearer," said Barseghyan, calling it another manifestation
of how Russia treats Armenia.
At the same time, the media expert also observes certain "cautiousness"
in the way some local Armenian channels have covered the events.
"Our television channels, of course with some exceptions, were
also afraid. Judging by audience reactions the TV channels with
large audiences have also been extremely cautious in covering the
developments. The Armenian authorities fear lest they should embarrass
Moscow," Barseghyan claims.
Well-known blogger Isabella Abgaryan believes that the silence of
Russian official channels can be explained by internal issues as well.
"It is obvious that Russia is trying to hide from its citizens the
disgraceful situation in its army, because the Russian mothers whose
sons serve in Armenia today would also be worried, perhaps would raise
complaints, because the murderer could also have killed their sons,"
she says.
http://armenianow.com/news/59877/armenia_television_coverage_gyumri_family_massacre _russia
News | 16.01.15 | 13:40
Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern
Leading Russian television channels kept silent on the events
unfolding in Armenia at the beginning of this week as a serviceman
of the Gyumri-headquartered Russian military base was arrested and
charged with murdering a six-member local family. This lack of coverage
of what appears to be major news also for the Russian audience has
raised questions among media experts in Armenia about the level of
censorship and priorities at Russian television companies.
It was not until Thursday that Russia's Rossiya-24 finally presented
news from Gyumri where the mass family murder allegedly committed
by the Russian soldier stirred a large wave of public indignation,
considering the fact that the key suspect is still kept in Russian
custody.
Since Monday, when the heinous crime was committed, from Russian
media only news websites and some non-central television channels
published information on it. While leading televisions like First
Channel, Rossia, and others did not inform their audiences about the
developments in their newscasts.
This appeared strange to many in Armenia, considering that Russia
has 3,000 troops stationed in the South Caucasus country and an
extraordinary event with the involvement of the Russian military base
has happened.
Levon Barseghyan, editor at the Gyumri-based Asbarez Club of
Journalists, however, is not surprised at the situation, as he thinks
it is has become a pattern on Russian television, something that he
says contradicts the basic principles of journalism and free speech.
"They believe that it is a disgrace for them, and I think that there
would be nothing disgraceful about the news if they did show it, as
truth is dearer," said Barseghyan, calling it another manifestation
of how Russia treats Armenia.
At the same time, the media expert also observes certain "cautiousness"
in the way some local Armenian channels have covered the events.
"Our television channels, of course with some exceptions, were
also afraid. Judging by audience reactions the TV channels with
large audiences have also been extremely cautious in covering the
developments. The Armenian authorities fear lest they should embarrass
Moscow," Barseghyan claims.
Well-known blogger Isabella Abgaryan believes that the silence of
Russian official channels can be explained by internal issues as well.
"It is obvious that Russia is trying to hide from its citizens the
disgraceful situation in its army, because the Russian mothers whose
sons serve in Armenia today would also be worried, perhaps would raise
complaints, because the murderer could also have killed their sons,"
she says.
http://armenianow.com/news/59877/armenia_television_coverage_gyumri_family_massacre _russia