There are a lot of journalists on several political parties’ election lists for the upcoming snap parliamentary elections. Of course, that is not a new phenomenon; in the past, many people entered politics being journalists by profession. This is normal. For example, if someone worked as a turner, but then over the years they have the desire to become a stonemason, no one can say anything against that. The same goes for now; if any of our dear colleagues see themselves in parliament or in the interim government, that is a result of their own interests. It’s another question entirely if someone works as a journalist and a politician (or activist) at the same time. That is controversial for me. If I am reporting about something, then the people reading it, watching it on television, or the people who have subscribed to the paper should not get the impression or doubt that I am reporting about the subject on behalf of a political party or election list. But that is my personal understanding of the work of a journalist. I may have many colleagues who disagree.
And here is one more personal confession: the competition in the political world to attack and counterattack, to make someone else look bad, and to try and find dirt about someone else does not interest me. I support love and solidarity. Of course, due to the nature of my work, I also report about the political fight, but as an individual and as a citizen, the fight does not interest me, especially because I believe that political and state institution, in the end, are lists, and the real processes are much deeper. When people begin to hold political discussions with me on the street, in taxis, or at friends’ houses, as far as who’s good, who’s bad, who’s with the people, and who’s against the people, I get bored very quickly. But if something is not interesting for me, that does not mean that it shouldn’t be interesting for all journalists. People have different tastes and interests.
I also need to mention that journalists present themselves successfully in politics because they are aware of all the technicalities of the political world. Their level of knowledge and intellect is usually higher than that of, say, some business owners. Therefore, I wish all of my colleagues the best of luck, and I hope that they all achieve their goals and make it into parliament.
Aram Abrahamyan
