In February 2019, the online media coverage of the “Artsakh conflict” was in the spotlight of “Media Advocate” initiative. 35 leading news agencies have been monitored. The articles were selected through international analytical programs.
3 categories were selected: News / Analysis / Opinion
In addition, the materials have also been segmented as negative / positive / neutral
The articles that do not reflect the policies and ideas of the authorities are negative, the ones that represent the views of authorities are positive, and finally those articles which express comprehensive opinions or which are official releases are neutral.
During the specified period, 3986 articles were monitored.
The graph (see gr. 1) illustrates the image obtained by combining the results of selected categories and segments. The chart represents the X and Y coordinate axis, where the horizontal coordinate is the segment (positive / negative / neutral), and the vertical one is the category (news / analysis / opinion). During the calculations positive and analytic identifiers were marked with (+), negative and comment (-) signs, neutral and news with (0) number.
The topic of the Artsakh issue is more than actual, whereas it is not receiving much attention; the number of articles is quite small, moreover, they don’t contain substantive discussions and analyses. It becomes clear from the graph (see gr. 1) that there are news agencies that have a clear opposition or pro-government stance. This is unacceptable in terms of impartiality of speech. The news agencies should maintain neutrality.
(Gr.1)
We present the ratings of the news agencies according to their rankings, where the news agency ranked under 1 is considered to have the best result of the month, while the one with the worst outcome is placed under 35.
Unbiased coverage ratings
- Shamshyan.com
2. Hayastan24.com
3. Iravaban.net
4. Tert.am
5. mediamax.am
6. Panorama.am
7. 1in.am.am
8. pastinfo.am
9. Asekose.am
10. Armtimes.com11.mamul.am/ 12. past.am/ 13. Panarmenian.net/ 14. azatutyun.am/ 15. Factor.am/ 16. A1plus.am/ 17. Yerkir.am/ 18. hetq.am/ 19. Lurer.com/ 20. 168.am/ 21. Armlur.am/ 22. Armday.am/ 23. operativ.am/ 24. news.am/ 25. aysor.am/ 26. lragir.am/ 27. aravot.am/ 28.Armenpress.am/ 29. zham.am/ 30. Yerevantoday.am/ 31. hraparak.am/ 32. 7or.am/ 33. blognews.am/ 34.slaq.am/ 35. Hayeli.am
P.S. The Media Advocate will continue to focus on the events; in particular, any encroachment and biased approach to freedom of expression will be harshly assessed.
