BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
On December 18, 1918, by a decree of the prime minister of the first Republic of Armenia Simon Vratsian, Armenpress was born as Armenia’s Telegraph Agency and since then it has served as the state’s official news agency.
Throughout the ten decades, be that under Soviet rule or since the independence of Armenia in 1991, Armenpress has had the distinction of reporting the news factually, and, as its current director Aram Ananyan pointed out in an interview published on Tuesday, it has treated its audience—its readers—with respect, without muddying the often turbulent waters that Armenia has navigated in the past 100 years.
Despite being the state news agency, Armenpress has always had a unique style in reporting the news, one that is often absent in some of the current, newly-established news sites that have mushroomed in Armenia.
It is the news agency of record for Armenia and it has fulfilled its responsibility with aplomb at challenging times, including this past spring’s popular uprising that saw the toppling of former president Serzh Sarkisian’s regime. It would be difficult to walk such a tightrope as a state news agency. However, because of its professionalism the transition seemed seamless and organic.
As an editor of a newspaper that just celebrated its 110th anniversary, I can appreciate the mammoth task of maintaining an institution beyond a century. It requires commitment, dedication and more important, an eye for contemporary and modern developments in an industry whose mission doesn’t change but the tools through which it disseminates information are constantly advancing.
On behalf of the editors, reporters, staff and management of Asbarez, I congratulate Armenpress on its 100th anniversary, wishing it success in the future and hoping that in this new Armenia, it can lead by setting the tone for a truly democratic and free press in our homeland.
Happy Anniversary to our colleagues at Armenpress.
Ara Khachatourian is the English Editor of Asbarez.
I did not have any idea that ArmenPress was created 100 years ago. Salute to the founders and the ones who kept it.