ANCA PROTESTS NBC’S SNUB OF ARMENIA’S OLYMPICS TEAM
by Ara Khachatourian
asbarez
Monday, July 30th, 2012
WASHINGTON-The ANCA joined thousands of frustrated Armenians across the
U.S. and around the world Monday in expressing frustration with NBC’s
short and silent coverage of Armenia’s Olympic team during its coverage
of the 2012 Olympics opening ceremonies in London on July 27th.
In a letter sent to NBC CEO and President Stephen Burke, ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian noted “We were troubled by the absence of any commentary
or background – scripted or otherwise – about Armenia, a nation with
a history of thousands of years, and a proud legacy of participation
in the Olympic games. In the place of information, your viewers were
treated to a single line – “Armenia, now walking in” and then nothing
more about Armenia during the very short on-screen time devoted to
broadcasting only a single member of the more than two dozen athletes
on the Armenian team.” The ANCA letter called for an explanation
and apology, as well as a commitment from NBC to provide meaningful
coverage of Armenia and her athletes during the remainder of the games.
The ANCA first voiced the community’s concerns on its Facebook page –
– on Friday, and issued its letter
earlier today. These concerns have been echoed by Facebook and Twitter
posts from around the world.
The full text of the letter is provided below.
I am writing, on behalf of your many U.S.-based viewers of Armenian
heritage, to share with you our disappointment over the very short
and inexplicably silent coverage of the Republic of Armenia’s team
during your broadcast of the opening ceremonies of the London 2012
Summer Olympics.
We were troubled by the absence of any commentary or background –
scripted or otherwise – about Armenia, a nation with a history of
thousands of years, and a proud legacy of participation in the Olympic
games. In the place of information, your viewers were treated to a
single line – “Armenia, now walking in” and then nothing more about
Armenia during the very short on-screen time devoted to broadcasting
only a single member of the more than two dozen athletes on the
Armenian team. The
inadequacy of the coverage provided to Armenia, relative to that
provided nearly every other country, was underscored by the hundreds
of community complaints we continue to field on this matter. NBC’s
dismissive treatment of Armenia was disrespectful not only to the
citizens of Armenia, but to a world-wide Diaspora that includes
over 1.5 million Armenian Americans. Such actions undermine NBC’s
longstanding relationship with its viewers who care about Armenia. We
call upon you to explain and apologize for the shortcomings in NBC’s
broadcast of the Armenian team, and to ensure proper coverage of
Armenia and her athletes during the remainder of the Olympics.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns.
Sincerely, Kenneth V. Hachikian Chairman