When Press Secretaries Timely Deny Such Information, Misinformation Is Prevented

Recently, the work of the media has become more complicated when cooperating with state institutions. Media outlets that respect their work and do not seek false sensations establish contact with state institutions to verify information, which is a normal and legitimate process for obtaining reliable information. During wartime and the post-war period, this collaboration plays a more important and significant role in the media's work, yet journalists often face irresponsible approaches and inadequate attitudes toward the issue.

Press secretaries of institutions not only often do not respond to phone calls, leaving the topic outside urgent matters, but they also respond to requests regarding information commentary with statements like, “I do not comment on that news.” In this case, neither confirming nor denying the information leaves the journalist in a position of uncertainty and accountability.

Telegram channels, articles on Mumul, and social media posts are assigned classifications, such as “yellow press.” For example, today the Mediaport Telegram channel published a post titled, “Nikol Pashinyan Has Decided to Close the Country Again Starting March 15 Due to Coronavirus,” which received reactions from our news outlet as well as several others.

To verify the information, our news outlet contacted the spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mane Gevorgyan, who told us in a conversation that she does not comment on the news, urging us to refer to the Ministry of Health. Why not comment on the news to confirm or deny it when the publication mentions Nikol Pashinyan’s name and discusses his orders, as well as references the NSS?

If press secretaries or spokespersons regularly deny such news, the public will perceive that certain Telegram channels or yellow press are not publishing credible information. An hour after our publication of the mentioned material, the Ministry of Health issued a clarification, stating that the rumors circulating among the public about the country reverting to complete and strict restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic do not correspond to reality. When press secretaries timely deny such information, the spread of misinformation is prevented.