Hakobyan Comments on the Video of the Barracks Fire Broadcasted by 5th Channel

The short video of the barracks fire in the village of Azat, broadcasted by the 5th Channel, has gone viral on the internet and received a strong negative response. People are particularly angered and disturbed by the desperate screams of those in pain and suffering featured in the footage. Yes, it is very hard to hear, very, very hard...

This was stated by Tigran Hakobyan, the Chairman of the Television and Radio Commission, on his Facebook page, commenting on the footage taken from the fire that broke out in the soldiers' barracks in Azat village on January 19, aired by 5th Channel.

“Several media outlets have approached me for clarifications, and a kind of 'flash mob' action has started on social networks, demanding an assessment from the Commission and its Chairman, calling for an emergency meeting, to suspend the television broadcast, to 'punish the traitors,' etc. I am responding. Relevant divisions of the Commission have already been instructed to monitor the 5th Channel's broadcasts and prepare a legal assessment,” he wrote.

“According to preliminary data I have gathered, the television broadcast only included footage of the fire filmed from a distance, there were no screams, and the fire images were accompanied by a journalist's narration about the fire. The voices were heard on YouTube, and the footage was accompanied by a note indicating who filmed it with a phone and whose voices were heard.

My preliminary conclusion, and I emphasize preliminary, is as follows: 1. A 'silent' video of the fire was broadcasted, which does not contain burning bodies, harsh images, or open scenes of tragedy that could cause horror or distress and affect the physical and mental health of minors. We do not yet see grounds for initiating administrative proceedings; 2. Legally, the YouTube broadcast is outside the regulation of the TV and Radio Commission, and we have no authority in this domain. This issue will be discussed in more detail on Monday.

I also think it would be appropriate for the 5th Channel to provide its clarifications and apologize to the public. However, I must also mention an important point: While the agitation and emotions of ordinary citizens are understandable and acceptable, the reaction of media representatives (without verifying facts or understanding the legal aspect of the issue) is strange and concerning. A journalist should speak with facts, not make populist calls to suspend broadcasts, punish, or execute. All of this creates senseless 'information floods,' the negative effects of which are unnecessary to discuss. And my advice particularly applies to the media community that adheres to liberal ideas,” Hakobyan noted.