Among all the positive and negative phenomena illustrated by Internet, the most negative, seems to me, is the “fakism”. For me, it is a zero responsibility for your own words. People, often with mental deviations and under pseudonym are writing nonsense in the comments section of social networks and websites. In the Aravot website, there are also anonymous commentator focused on various conspiracies, who regularly are accusing me of, for example, being an agent of the American imperialism. My life is going on in everyone’s eyes, and it is not clear why an unknown “fake” has the right to blame me in something. Perhaps, he is just the colonel of the Central Intelligence Agency residing in Langley.
The Aravot moderators are publishing these offensive comments to my address and they are right. In all cases, I think it is better to to hear unjust accusations and slander to my address rather than we try to assume the role of a judge and decide on which is the border of the opinion and abuse. (Of course, open attacks one someone, and insults, however, are not published). If it comes to me, I consider forbidding “denunciations” of unknown “fakes” to my address wrong.
However, there are people who take more offence than I do, who do not tolerate not only insults, but any negative word about them. It is clear that these are first the officials, tycoons and their relatives. It is also clear that the initiatives of “restriction” and “bringing to liability” are constantly generating from these circles. And, here, this kind of “thin-skinned” bill emerged in the NA Republican faction.
In principle, of course, it is true that the media, which is responsible for its entire content, gives an answer to the comments of “fakes”. As I already mentioned, we are working not to publish comments that may offend someone. However, I doubt that the Aravot moderators could be able to contact the lawyers for any suspected case to clarify of how offensive or defamatory given comment is.
But, if I have posted my article, let’s say, in the Facebook, and am writing an insulting comment under it, it is not my business. Facebook is not my domain, and I’m not going to be accountable for what is written there.
If the government is very upset, it has the opportunity to identify the “wrong comment” poster and sue the “fake”.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
