Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service has introduced an infographic on coronavirus in Armenia, reflecting the number of people infected by days. This infographic contained obvious manipulations. At first glance, the infection curve was downward, and there was an impression that the number of infected people was gradually decreasing, while, vice versa, the numbers of recent days show that the cases of infected people is increasing day by day. ArmTimes, in its turn, presented a similar infographic as well.
Facebook users noticed this manipulation, voiced it and raised discussions. After fierce public reactions, RFE/RL replaced the infographic with a new, more accurate one.
“Media Advocate” urges the media, in particular RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, to refrain from such manipulative steps that may create insubstantial calmness in the society and further aggravate the situation.
