How to Use Telegram Correctly: Samvel Martirosyan

Information security expert Samvel Martirosyan has written:

“Dear compatriots, as a new wave of misinformation has begun on Telegram, it is essential to follow a few rules regarding information acquisition from Telegram (and not just from Telegram):

1. If you have just found a Telegram channel, consider it a gray area, unverified for at least a month. Do not consider it a reliable source until you verify it.
2. Do not regard a channel as trustworthy if it constantly references unknown sources. For example, saying 'as the German press writes' or referring to Kyrgyz Telegram channels, or 'our source in the Pentagon', etc. Of course, good channels may also occasionally make such references, but not five times a day.
3. Normal channels do not make mistakes all the time. If they do make mistakes (it happens to everyone), they acknowledge the error.
4. All other channels should be considered unverified. We read them, but we do not trust them. They might be good, but they still need to be verified.
5. We do not spread unverified information to avoid becoming part of the misinformation mechanism.

I do not share a list of verified channels. Since it’s a somewhat subjective issue, you might forget one or not know whether to add another. It’s better for each person to compile this list based on the above considerations.

Now, regarding the channels that spread panic:

1. Some are created by enemies.
2. Some others are managed from other countries that have deep interests in our country.
3. Channels whose admins are fans of countries that are paid or unpaid.
4. Admins seeking fame who want to have a popular channel by any means.
5. Channels whose admins are simply clueless.
6. Channels whose admins are still new to this field. They are normal people but still inexperienced.”