The official campaign for the National Assembly elections will begin soon, and, as always, the question of “equal coverage for all” comes up. In practice, this is not realistically feasible: no media outlet in Armenia, even with the best intentions, can give all 19 political forces (assuming they are all registered) equal space and airtime. First, no outlet has the resources for that. Second, experience shows that political actors vary greatly in how active they are during campaigns.
Aravot will try to cover the viable contenders for parliamentary seats—including Civil Contract—as proportionally as possible. But there is also a more fundamental issue here that needs to be addressed openly.
Any impartial reader has likely noticed that Aravot actively reports on the events and press conferences of Civil Contract and other pro-government parties, as well as on government activities that have effectively become part of the campaign. We publish official statements, posts, and videos by government figures, while refraining from commentary in such materials. This approach will, of course, continue during the campaign.
At the same time, covering all political forces does not mean that Aravot operates without principles or a value-based editorial stance. We believe this should be stated openly—as is customary in developed democracies.
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Our guiding principles are: (1) the rule of law, (2) democracy, and (3) national identity. In our view, the current ruling party has, to a significant extent, moved away from these core values. Accordingly, in our commentary, analysis, and other opinion content, we will support those forces that uphold these values and genuinely seek a change in government.
Whether our approach, coverage, commentary, and analysis meet high ethical and professional standards is not for us to judge—it is for our readers. To make this process clearer, a new mechanism will be introduced shortly.
If any reader believes that our publications run counter to the ethical principles adopted by Aravot’s editorial team and journalists, as well as the Code of Ethics for Armenia’s media, they may, starting May 1, contact Gnel Nalbandyan—a member of the Media Self-Regulation Initiative’s Monitoring Body—at [email protected]
I fully trust his impartiality and professionalism. I neither can nor wish to influence his decisions, and for me, they will be final.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
