Recently, I watched “Russia 24” TV channel for a few minutes. It should not escape the eyes of any viewer not only the aggressive, but I would even say the hysterical tone. It was about coal oil and gas, and the meaning of the “report” was that all of it is a balloon, which was invented by the Americans in order to, like in many-many other cases, “blackmail our country.” I would not go deeper into the peculiarities of the technical and economic efficiency of the coal fuel (which is interesting in itself), I would just mention that if a country rich with not only in natural resources but also with talented people and being a huge culture builds its entire politics on selling gas, oil and arms, then it is very natural that its geopolitical competitors would have many spots of blackmailing.
But the matter, in this case, is about the “brutal” propaganda. “Russia-24” reminds me of the “pro-Kocharyan” ArmNews in 2000-2008. As in the case of this “information” broadcast, the Russian channel divides the world into two distinct parts: on one side, “our own” angels, on the other side, the “hostile” monsters. The media outlet, as the Bolshevik leader used to say, is not only a collective preacher but also a collective organizer. In other words, let us join together to slaughter the enemy. It is quite natural when a war is going on between the two countries. But, as I understand it, Russia is not at war with the United States. Moreover, the government and the opposition in Armenia are not at war. They, in my perception, should only exchange ideas and thoughts rather than pursuing the goal to destroy each other. It was also, of course, a matter of taste. If people want to be a collective preacher or an organizer, it is up to them.
No one can tell “how to should be”, we can only say what we prefer. Fortunately, the choice in Armenia’s print and internet media outlet is broad, and if people want to read only the opposition or only the pro-government propaganda, “Sakunts” or “anti-Sakunts,” “homophobic” or “color” judgments, they can choose what they want, to “cool down their hearts” by reading their desired judgments and avoid reading what is not close to their heart. But to reproach anybody about why you are expressing or publishing a view with which I do not agree, I think, it is not so reasonable.
I know many people in Armenia who are watching only the “Russia-24” TV channel and similar channels and make their vision about the world thereby. Any information that will reach their vision as such is unacceptable for these people. Moreover, I know a specialist of satellite antennas, who was telling about one of his customers who has asked him to install 28 porn channels on his TV at home. It is a matter of preference.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
