Recently, some changes have been made to the broadcasting of programs
on the “Azatutyun” (Freedom) radio station. At first, the radio
station’s “bell” emblem for the advertisements turned into a “small
lamp”, then “a watch with a lamp”, and later a “magnifying glass”.
According to sources, the American branch of the “Azatutyun” (Freedom)
radio station changed its emblem due to the fact that the emblem of the
“bell” is considered as a symbol of Christianity in the Islamic
Republics. Surprisingly, the American branch has chosen the “small
lamp” as the emblem; however this has no ties with the radio station.
After the search of an emblem, the “Azatutyun” radio station started a
television program which made its premiere on October 17 on the
“Epicenter” television network. The program had only begun when all of
a sudden it closed.
The “Azat Yevropa-Azatutyun” (Free Europe-Freedom) radio station has
been recognized as an objective and professional radio station by
Armenian tuners. Until today, the radio program has not faced any
danger of being banned. It was no secret to anyone that the radio
station was sponsored and supervised by the U.S. Congress and the State
Department. The “Epicenter” television network administration gave
economical reasons for the closing of the program and said that they
did not know whether or not the show would be broadcasted again. We
think that the reasons for ending broadcast of the program have nothing
to do with the issues discussed during the first broadcast, but rather
that the program could not continue and that it was supervised by the
American branch. It also had something to do with the foreign political
decisions made by Armenians. Whatever the case, freedom of speech is
again being infringed, whether that be in Armenia or any other place.
The president of “Azatutyun” radio station has stated that sources have
told him that ending the broadcast was a result of the pressure put on
by the high rank officials of Armenia. On the other hand, we would not
be considered wrong if we say that ending the broadcast of the
“Azatutyun” program was connected with security of information. It is
quite possible that Armenia’s authorities are not too pleased with the
fact that the “Azatutyun” radio station, funded in the framework of
American political figures, can invade television and do propaganda. Of
course, propaganda is a good weapon and each country is obligated to
defend itself from the “foreign interventions of propaganda”. But is
this really the reason why Armenia’s authorities are putting obstacles
in front of “Azatutyun”. Judging from all of this, Armenia’s
authorities are not that concerned about the issue. If it were like
that, then the media provided by Russian television networks such as
“KHZ” and “RTR” would be banned because they have better ways of
propaganda than the “Azatutyun” radio station’s media. In other words,
the only thing that concerns Armenia’s authorities is the propaganda of
foreign countries in the CIS countries. Meanwhile, the Russian official
propaganda has no serious problem with Robert Kocharyan. So, it is safe
to say that as soon as a problem arises between the two sides, there
will no longer be Russian programs broadcasted (this happened with the
“TsDZT” television network last year).
From a different point of view, the “Western world” is not concerned
with the freedom of speech in Armenia, but rather its interests in
strengthening propaganda. For example, Thomas Dayne, who is the
president of the “Azatutyun-Europe-Azatutyun” radio station, dares to
raise his voice at Kocharyan and claims that if this issue does not get
solved, he will ask for help from the Bush administration, the U.S.
Congress, etc. If it’s not a crime, I would like to know why he did not
ask the Bush administration or the U.S. Congress to solve the issue
concerning the “A1+” television network.
The sad part of it all is that the television broadcasts do not take
advantage of their freedom of speech. If the television networks had no
problem with freedom of speech, then the “Azatutyun” (Freedom) radio
station would not have its large audience for propaganda and there
would be security issue.