One of the reasons for the revolution taken place was that the authority was thrown down in the propaganda war. It became clear that the ones responsible for propaganda were hopelessly lagging behind the life and were under the influence of stereotypes of the 1970s.
Let me bring up a simple example. The 10-minute speeches of the President, which were imposed from Baghramyan 26 on all TV channels to broadcast in all length, had not a zero but a negative propagative effect. It seemed to the official propagators that thereby the citizens, who watch suchlike speeches and reportages, would start loving the authorities and value their work. However, it had right the opposite influence: regardless of the fact if correct or incorrect things were comprised in those speeches or reportages, they evoked anger and hatred in people.
The reason is very simple – it was a compulsion to show the same things on and on again with 6-7 TV channels, it gives the impression of a real Brezhnev stagnation. And the opposite, any publication on Facebook, encompassing the name of the President’s brother with his habit of taking 50% share in every business had a massive propagative effect. Despite that the statement is sharply exaggerated, almost everyone believed in it. Such publication or such comment receives a stormy approval, inasmuch as it is on the spot, it is not imposed on and reflects public moods.
And the global reason is, that in Armenia people believe in the internet more than the TV – every person and every website can enter a live broadcast and show the events of his/her and others’ interest now. It has both positive and negative sides, but within the context of this topic another thing is important – the official propagators had not perceived this changed situation and it seemed to them that by “squashing” the TV channels and imposing on a Brezhnev style propaganda they strengthen the authorities.
Now Pashinyan is seen much on the TV, but no one imposes to show him, the PM is shown inasmuch as the TV viewers are interested in him. And they are interested in him because he has become the PM by the true will of the people. However, if one or two months onward anyone from Baghramyan 26 calls to any TV channel and say that Sharmazanov must not be called to TV program and anyone from the Government should come to speak on the TV, it means nothing has changed. I hope it will not take place.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
