The programmes of the Russian TV company “RTR-Planeta”, especially the news and the programmes on socio-political topics that are broadcast in the whole territory of Armenia, strike one by their unique aggressiveness: the media outlet applies all the tricks and measures typical of propaganda, including hate speech, distortion of facts, biased commentary, etc. Not only are the authors of these programmes experts and public figures that are invited with a view to exerting very special influence on the audience but such influence is exerted also by the journalists themselves. This is testified by the outcomes of the regular monitoring of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression.
For example, in “The West Glorifies Pervertion, Immorality and Xenophobia” (“RTR-Planeta”, “The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov”, 3 October, 2019) the thoughts expressed by one of the experts invited to this talk-show are nothing but a negative, biased commentary made with a view to discrediting the European values since the values the European community is anchored in are reflected in a number of documents, including the European Convention on Human Rights. Interestingly, not only did the TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov not try to counteract such aggression and to ensure neutrality and balance but he himself announced instead that “the Western model cannot ensure peace and human development” (“RTR-Planeta”, “The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov”, 13 October, 2019). Meanwhile, the facts prove that the Western states are a majority within the G20 developed countries with a very high level of living. Apart from this, the Western leaders as a rule make efforts in preventing global conflict and carry out mediation missions with a view to regulating local conflicts.
The anti-Western sentiments are quite high also among the intelligentsia and public figures. Nikita Mikhalkov, for example, stated that “Today Europe betrayed Christianity”, then went on to say that “Today the biggest European countries are governed by people who do not have children… This means absence of the reflex of protection, care, help, rescue, and treatment” (“RTR-Planeta”, “The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov”, 18 November, 2019). Boris Yakemenko, Deputy Director of the Center for Historical Expertise under the Russian University of the People’s Friendship made the following statement: “Europe that longs for comfort, today denounces children and generates movements such as “childfree” because a child is a problem to them, a child means absence of comfort’ (“RTR-Planeta”, “The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov”, 12 November, 2019).
This and many other manipulations aim at discrediting the European values and disorienting the audience by creating a wrong image of Europe and Europeans among the spectators.
To what extent does this propaganda by the Russian media influence the Armenian audience? Is it convincing? Ruben Mehrabyan, an expert in political science believes that “the Russian media, which should more correctly be termed as the “propaganda troops”, influence the Armenian audience to depending on whether they can appear as accurate and impartial sources but not means of the state propaganda. However, suffice it to take a look at the alternative resources that are guided by the standards of objectiveness and accuracy, and it becomes clear that the Russian news is propaganda rather than news.” According to the expert, the generation that witnessed how in 1988-91 the information on the Kharabagh movement was distorted by Moscow, is quite well-equipped against the Russian propaganda and such propaganda is alienating to such people right from the start. “Certainly, propaganda on non-Armenian topics may influence that segment of the audience, which has difficulty or avoids making parallels and accepts without any criticism that, which is put forward to them on topics related to, for example, Ukraine, Georgia or the West, thereby becoming an easy target or victim of hybrid wars.”
Ruben Mehrabyan believes that the employed techniques are not new: everyday lies, partial truths, manipulations, distorition of causal links, dissemination of fears and distrust, as well as conspiracy theories. According to the expert, “the units of the “concerned” segment of the Armenian media are widely employing the weapons of the Russian propaganda.” Meanwhile, much propaganda stems from political considerations, which makes it even more dangerous, since it entirely ignores the right of the people to accurate and objective information.
HASMIK BUDAGHYAN
CPFE EXPERT
