Before showing this film the Turkish authorities got psychological and warned people not to be afraid of the murder scenes. The editor of the channel made a speech and gave some explanations saying that the film was just a means of propaganda. According to “Azadutyun” radio station, editor of “Marmara” newspaper, Robert Hatechyan, says that before showing the film the TV station staff called on people not to forget that this film was “a film for propagandizing imperialism”. “Don’t feel bad about the murder scenes, because those scenes are fake”, said the editor of the “Kanalturk” before showing the “Ararat” film. After the film, the station organized a TV debate with guests former high ranked military official and a young film producer. The Turkish general criticized the film and said that it was a fake campaign and had no worth. In spite of this the young film producer said that the film was good. He also criticized psychologically preparing the people and giving false information before showing the film.
The TV channel had also planned to organize a round-table discussion after showing this film and invite the editor of “Akos” newspaper, Hrant Dink, as well as an independent Turkish historian. But later they said that Hrant Dink had some personal problems and couldn’t come. But according to Hrant Dink the reason why he didn’t accepted this invitation is the false criticism and violated information regarding the true scenes of the film concerning the Armenian Genocide. Anyhow, these films about the Armenian Genocide had to also be shown in the USA yesterday. Yesterday the American PBS TV channel had to show the one hour documental of famous film producer Andrew Goldberg about the Armenian Genocide. In some states, after showing this film there also had to be round-tables with guests historian Taner Akcham and writer Peter Balakyan who accept the fact that there really was a Genocide, as well as other two Turkish historians that don’t accept the fact. Most of the States decided not to organize round-tables because the fact of Genocide and the truth can’t be discussed. This film, which costs $650,000 dollars was fully sponsored by the Armenian Diaspora in the US. According to “Azatutyun” radio station, the representation of the PBS channel in California responded to the recommendations of the local Armenian Diaspora not to show Andrew Goldberg’s film and the round-tables. Instead of this film they will show another film made in France about the Genocide, and there will be no discussions after that. Besides that, they are also going to show documental movies about the Armenian Genocide in movie theatres around Los-Angeles without any admission fee. The author of the film, who has given $12,000 dollars for this, says that this film will be shown as much as needed. They are going to show films about the Genocide in other countries too.