Problems of Diaspora press
Yerkir.am
March 16, 2007
Editors of several Diaspora periodicals were hosted at the Urbat
(Friday) club last week. Editors of Asbarez from the US West-Cost,
Azad Or from Greece, Azdak from Lebanon, Horizon from Canada, Aliq
from Iran and Hayreniq from US East Cost presented the history of
their newspapers commenting also on the issues relevant for the
Armenian communities in their regions.
Majority of Diaspora Armenian periodicals are published in difficult
social, political, financial and language situation. Editor of
Asbarez daily newspaper Vache Brutian says every issue of the
newspaper is published after some struggle.
The Armenian community has undergone some demographic changes because
of emigration. The differences of language-thinking and mentality have
resulted in a difficult situation. `We speak the same language but we
do not understand each other,’ Brutian says adding that their goal is
to unite the Armenians and eliminate the intolerance. No other
entities support Asbarez in accomplishing this difficult task.
A similar situation exists in the US East Cost. Editor of Hayreniq
newspaper Khazhak Mkrtichian says that their community is not
homogenous either. Some people are interested in Armenia and the
issue of Genocide recognition while others complain that the newspaper
writes more on Armenia than on their problems and concerns. Hayreniq
cannot satisfy the interests of all segments of the Armenian community
because for that the newspaper would have to be published on
50-60pages.
Because of financial difficulties Hayreniq newspaper has a very small
staff and cannot hire professional journalists which has an impact on
the quality of the newspaper. The only newspaper among the
above-mentioned ones that manages to gain some profit is the
Canada-based Horizon newspaper.
One of the main issues raised by most of the editors is the decreasing
role of the Armenian language which affects negatively the sales of
the newspapers. The newspapers are forced to publish annexes in
foreign languages. Hayreniq publishes the English-language Armenian
Weekly newspaper that is distributed to the US Congressmen.
Editor of Azad Or newspaper Hripsime Harutyunian notes that the young
generation of Armenians in Greece have problems with the Armenian
language. This is why a Greek-language annex is published twice a
month that is aimed at the young people. Azad Or newspaper aims at
ensuring a connection between Armenia and the community in Greece
publishing articles on Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhq and Caucasus.
The language problem is not very acute in the Armenian community in
Iran because it is closer to Armenia and the Eastern Armenian. Aliq
newspaper published in Iran is the only Armenian newspaper. Editor of
Aliq Derenik Melikian says this fact is very obliging and this is why
the newspaper tries to cover as many topics as possible to satisfy all
readers’ interests. Aliq’s primary goal is to objectively present the
political situation in Iran. `We are presenting the truth and this is
why we enjoy Iran’s warm attitude,’ Melikian says.
The Diaspora Armenian periodicals are aiming at raising various issues
relevant for Armenia and Hay Dat to the international levels.
Editor of Lebanon-based Azdak newspaper Shahan Gantaharian says the
newspaper aims at daily coverage of the community’s problems. Azdak
used to be a magazine but later became a daily newspaper because of
the great demand for daily information. This year Azdak newspaper will
celebrate its 80th anniversary.
The journalists also discussed issues related to dual
citizenship. `Every Armenian has the right to become a citizen of his
country. This right was not ensured in the past. Adoption of dual
citizenship corrected this historical mistake,’ editor of Azbarez
Vache Brutian says. Dual citizenship can be a signal unifying the
whole Armenian nation.
`It is a matter of principle and symbolism for us to have the right to
belong to our homeland,’ editor of Azat Or newspaper Hripsime
Harutyunian says. ` The issue of voting or being elected is of
secondary importance today.’
Answering the question what dual citizens can bring to Armenia editor
of Hayreniq newspaper Khazhak Mkrtichian stated, `No one asked me in
the US how can you be useful to the country if we grant you
citizenship. Now I am asked this question in my homeland¦ It so
happened that I was born in Syria and lived there without a homeland,
just like you lived difficult years with no electricity and no
water. Then you got electricity and water, so I should also get
citizenship to restore justice.’
Commenting on the often manipulated question, `Where were you when we
were surviving through the dark and cold years in Armenia?’ editor of
Horizon newspaper Vahagn Garagashian answers, `History shows that the
Diaspora Armenians have always supported Armenia in difficult times.’
Editor of Aliq newspaper Derenik Melikian says, `Armenia will get more
population’. Melikian believes the very fact that the Turks oppose
this law should indicate to us that we are on the right track.
By Meri ALEKSANIAN