Recently, I read a lot of statements that something has changed in the media and public relations and there is mutual dissatisfaction. To be honest, I do not notice any change. The public and the media are the same as they were three months or three years ago. The overwhelming majority of Armenians hate Serzh Sargsyan and those who are associated with the Republican Party. It was the same 1, 3, 5, 10 years ago. The same majority likes Nikol Pashinyan, first of all, since he was able to remove the third president from power. The publications that correspond to these emotions are taken positively. The publications, facts, and coverage that are out of this scheme are negatively perceived by the aforementioned majority. Any “white shade” of black or vice versa causes dissatisfaction.
What is new, odd, or unexpected in this? This has been the case for centuries in all countries starting from ancient Greece, where there was more or less some possibility of free expression. You may say there was no Facebook, no trolling or faking in ancient Greece. Indeed, that is true, but these are just tools, a “transport” of public opinion. Its essence, the mechanisms of its formation, the manipulation possibilities are the same as were two and a half millennia ago.
Some of my colleagues are troubled, say that this is organized by the authorities, etc. But nothing is possible to organize if there are no objective premises, and the premise is the public’s clear opinion expressed at the moment. If you ask me whether this opinion is final and unchangeable, I will answer, no.
My approach is as follows: if someone writes or says he does not like what I write, this is the assessment of the person expressed at that moment, which is conditioned by his mentality, beliefs, upbringing and education. I should not be hurt because of that, and should not try to change that person’s negative opinion next time. If someone praises my writings, I should not be overjoyed for the same reasons mentioned above.
For instance, the majority and I have the same feelings regarding the submission of a petition for choosing detention as a preventive measure against Robert Kocharyan. But, nevertheless, I see problems here in the legal sense. Let us talk about that next time.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
