Observer Body Announces H1 Violated Standards by Instigating Negative Attitudes Towards Artsakh Residents

The Media Ethics Observer Body has published a conclusion regarding a complaint filed by Artsakh Union NGO President Artak Beglaryan. Below is the published statement:

"The Media Ethics Observer Body has released a conclusion concerning the complaint made by Artsakh Union NGO President Artak Beglaryan. Beglaryan requested an examination of two reports aired on May 24 and June 6 by First Channel, which focused on criminal proceedings related to the distribution of money for participation in opposition rallies. According to Beglaryan, the reports excessively emphasized the supposed criminal origins of the individuals involved, generating negative sentiments towards Artsakh residents among those who oppose the opposition movement.

Additionally, a report on Public Television included a conversation in the Artsakh dialect, accompanied by an image of a bundle of Russian rubles, even though the conversation was about the Armenian dram. This tactic, as argued in the complaint, attempted to create an artificial link between the 'criminal actions of the Karabakh residents' and Russia, further generating negative attitudes towards the 'Karabakh residents' and the rally.

In another report titled 'Prices Are Falling: 5,000 Drams to Attend the Rally,' aired on June 6, a phone conversation in the Artsakh dialect was again featured, where the term 'vnnaman' (Artsakh dialect for 'shoe') was subtitled as 'to take,' implying taking money. This, according to the complainant, significantly distorted the content of the speech, again inciting negative feelings towards Artsakh residents.

In a clarification provided to the Observer Body, the Executive Director of Public Television, Hovhannes Movsisyan, stated that the reports had aired the official statements received from the Investigative Committee without alteration.

Upon reviewing the complaint, the Observer Body determined that although Public Television aired the official message from the Investigative Committee, this does not exempt it from the obligation to adhere to journalistic ethics. Therefore, by broadcasting the aforementioned content, the television station violated several points of its signed ethics code.

Specifically, it violated the requirement to respect the sanctity of private life (the voices of individuals accused of a crime were broadcast without alteration), perpetuated negative stereotypes against individuals of Artsakh descent, thereby placing them in a more vulnerable situation. The television station did not remove numerous comments under the Facebook post of the report that contained hate speech, promoted violence, engaged in illegal activities, or included obvious insults.

It also breached the provision that requires accompanying images to correspond with reality. The Observer Body expressed hope that such missteps, which demonstrate prejudiced attitudes towards Artsakh residents or any other groups, would not occur in the future broadcasts of Public Television. Public Television must publish the segments of the Observer Body's conclusion regarding the violations on its website without commentary."