It has been eleven days of death, destruction, and bedlam on the Armenian/Azeri line of contact battlefields …and anti-Armenian bias, ignorance, and incompetence in the western media. (The Turkbeijan invaders have typically indulged in lies and fantasy while Armenian government sources have been relatively accurate in their accounts of the war.)
The formulaic western news reports and analysis come with two poison pills: they all mention that Artsakh is an internationally-recognized part of Azerbaijan. This backgrounder immediately puts the Armenians in the wrong. To make matters worse, western journalists helpfully point out that Russia supports Armenia. By then, most viewers and readers have decided Armenians are the bad guys.
There’s no mention of the thousands of years of Armenian ownership of Artsakh, Stalin’s slicing of two regions of Armenia (Artsakh and Nakhichevan) in 1920 and giving them to Azerbaijan so as to court Turkey, the older brother of Azerbaijan. The western media fails to say that when Artsakh was given on a silver platter to Azerbaijan, 90 percent of the region’s population was Armenian. The western media—which never misses an opportunity to tear apart Stalin—honors the Bolshevik dictator’s unjust decision and legitimizes his illegal act.
Journalists of the west– except for French–never talk about the treatment of Artsakh Armenians under Azeri rule. They don’t mention the anti-Armenian racism during 70 years of Azeri rule in Artsakh. No talk about Azerbaijan’s attempt at demographic changes in Artsakh to the disadvantage of Armenians. No talk that during the 70 years of Azeri rule the Armenian percentage of Artsakh’s population declined from 90 percent to 76 percent due to the Azeri policy of settling Azeris in the Armenian region.
Time and again reports of Armenian victories come packaged with “claimed”, “alleged” and “so-called.”
No mention is made that foreign journalists covering the war from the Armenian side are free to report while Azerbaijan has imposed control s on the reporting of foreign journalists. As well, no mention is made of the fact that Azerbaijan has blocked internet and other electronic access to the Azeris.
The Armenians are described as “separatists” and “rebels”. No mention is made that Armenians are the anti-separatists: they are trying to reverse the separation of Artsakh from Armenia.
Another negative phrase many western correspondents like to deploy is to describe Artsakh as a “self-proclaimed” republic. They ignore that most states are born by self-proclamation. When George Washington and his friends established the United States no one—except perhaps Britain—described the country as “self-proclaimed” republic.
The ridiculous lies of Aliyev spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev go unchallenged again and again. False reports of Azeri victories and taking over of Armenian village also go unchallenged.
A CNN report by Rory Sullivan and Jennifer Hauser had seven journalists who provided background material and further reporting. Of the seven, one was Arza Geybulle (Azeri journalist in Baku), Gul Tuysuz (Turk from Istanbul), and Hira Humayun (Pakistani).
When two French reporters were injured during the Azeri bombardment of Stepanagerd, Hajiyev said that if foreign journalists are harmed it’s their fault because the “journalists had not asked permission from Azerbaijan government” to report from Azerbaijan’s Stepanagerd ! The outrageous observation and attempt to impede western journalism by a senior Azeri officer went uncommented by the western media.
Although it has been clear from day one that it was Azerbaijan—aided by Turkey and mercenary terrorist—who started the war, western journalists keep repeating that both sides blame the other. If the journalist can’t determine this essential fact, what is he or she doing “reporting” on the war.
Although the fact was no secret, for days, western media outlets refused to confirm that thousands of Syrian terrorist mercenaries were fighting on the side of Azerbaijan. Calling it alleged for more than a week it grudgingly admitted the truth after nine days.
In addition to the anti-Armenian bias there’s the sheer incompetence and ignorance on the part of the western journalists. On Oct. 6 (5:30 p.m. EST), the BBC commentator stated Armenia occupies Artsakh. Then there was the CBS anchor (again on Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. news) who said the recent war started when Armenia occupied “Nagorno-Karpagh a week ago.”
Aaaaaaaaaahhhh.
Walter Cronkite must be hopping in his grave.
There has been no word in the western media that Armenia is a democracy while Azerbaijan is a dictatorship where Aliyev and his corrupt family run the state and that they have stashed billions of stolen petrodollars in foreign banks, and own numerous villas from the Emirates to Switzerland, Britain, and the U.S. There has been no mention that the airline which is carrying Israeli weapons to Azerbaijan is owned by one of the daughters of Aliyev. Also there is no mention of the absence of a free press and the right for assembly in Azerbaijan. No mention of Azeri disappearance, arbitrary arrests, the treatment of political prisoners and the imprisonment of Azeris who oppose the inherited Azeri dictatorship, the beating of prisoners who “commit suicide.”
Why the bias? Why the anti-Armenian attitude of most western journalists?
- Being ignorant of the war’s background, they take the easy way out and become pro-Azeri because “Artsakh belongs to Azerbaijan, according to the UN.” Besides, Armenia is on the side of the Ruskies.
- The journalists must know that Europe buys Azeri oil. Any disruption of the supply—because of war—can hurt western economies.
- Journalism is a business. These days publications are owned giant corporations with their fingers in many pies and links to governments. Plainly or through “osmosis” reporters learn of the bias of their publishers or owners…and play their tune accordingly.
- The arch-villain Turkey of this tragedy is a NATO ally. Armenians are friends of the Big Bad Wolf Russia and criminal Putin.
- Pack journalism. At the beginning of international crisis foreign correspondents seem to agree which side to root. Once that is established, they abide by the diktat. When they get together at night over a bottle of Johnny Walker they have to agree who is the bad/good guy. Or else the half-drunk journalists would start an argument which could deteriorate into a fight.
There’s another reason the war reports are amateurish. For more than decade (after social media became all dominant) newspapers, TV, and radio have witnessed a sharp decline in followers and in revenues. The foreign correspondents of yore have disappeared and their bureaus shut. These days some media outlets have one reporter covering all of Africa or all of Europe. The vanishing of the full-time foreign correspondents has given rise to the freelancers, journalists who become instant experts across a wide array of conflicts, issues, hot topics, and countries.
Thus, “If it’s Tuesday, it must be ummm….Nagrino Kar Pie.”
Sabri S. says
There is no anti-western bias. The ethnic armenians living in the area are on AZERBAIJAN’s LAND!! Lets not let the islamophobic bigots spin this into some sort of Christian vs. Islam thing. It is not. Azeris are muslim and this is muslim land. And unlike similar situations, say the Ukranians and Russians, these two do NOT speak the same language, have the same culture, nor share a common history. Azerbaijan made the stupid mistake of letting the armenians set up shop and take over the territory population wise. It will be easy to drive out any armenian army that tries to set up or operate there among the civilian population. Allah U Akbar, and may the Azerbaijani’s free their territory shortly.
Thomas Fortino says
Your own Rhetoric exposes and defeats you. We are onto you!
Colin Holman says
Mmmmm! Same old, same old. Muslims are victims and the nasty infidels are…… Just watched a Turkish Netflix series called Resurrection. It obligingly informs all those non Muslims who watch it about the Erdogan, Muslim agenda! Muslims are still mentally and culturally back in the 10th century. The west should be very wary of the immigration of Muslims into western countries. It is part of their world Caliphate ambitions!!!!
David says
I guess you didn’t read the article, especially the history of the region.
Ecosse1314 says
You are a moron.Alis new snack bar
Thomas Faddis says
True
jirtu says
It’s with great sadness I report that two days ago 10-million Azerbaijan (defense budget the same size as Armenia’s national budget), 83-million Turkey (larger army than any country in Europe), thousands of Syrian Islamist mercenaries, an unknown number of Pakistani troops and Afghan mujahideen who invaded Armenian lands won the war against the 3-million Armenians after 44 days. The Armenian soldiers showed remarkable heroism and skill in withstanding the assault for so long. At the beginning of the war, it was thought the attackers would win within five days. While the assymetrical war was going on, the world remained silent except for a couple of utterances that the war should be stopped. Eventually, Putin (who is pro Azeri and is friend of Erdogan) forced Armenians to sign a document where Armenia would cede lands to Azerbaijan. You see, Azerbaijan has has oil and gas. Armenia doesn’t. Why side with justice and the truth when on the other scale there’s black gold?
Zimriel says
“Muslim land”
I missed in my geography class where Azerbaijan was somewhere in the Arabian Peninsula.
jirtu says
Armenians have never portrayed the fight as a religion war. It’s the Azeris who are harping about Christian Armenians and Muslim Azeris to win the sympathy of Muslims and attract Muslim mercenaries. For Armenians it’s a fight to keep part of Armenia which was illegally given, by Stalin, to the Azeris when the population was 90 percent Armenian.
Boycott Turkey says
Sabri You just want a other Armenian Genocide by the sound of it no surprise there Artsakh was always Armenian go read Wikipedia even if it’s not a Christian vs Muslim thing History still says Armenians are the indenginous people to the land and i would still support Armenians even if i wasn’t Christian also lots of non Christians support Armenia to except Muslims if it’s not a Muslims vs Christian thing how comes all Muslims are Anti Armenian and don’t care about the fact that Armenians have been there since the Bronze Age Azerbaijan’s are originally from Central Asia Azerbaijani is as old as Coca Cola the Armenians are Native to that land Azeris are invaders and occupiers and trying to twist history like all a Turks why don’t they go and claim there Ancestral home which is Mongolia
GreekEmpress says
+1
Turks + Azeris=Squatters
gravenimage says
Fine post.
jirtu says
What you say is not based on fact. The land is Armenian. It has been Armenians since 6th century. Greek historian Strabo and Roman historian Pliny the Elder have referred to the region as Armenia. In 1920, when the population was 90% Armenian, Stalin gave the land to Azerbaijan to appease Azerbaijan’s older brother Turkey. Of course, it was an illegal act. When the Soviet Union collapsed, Armenians of the region declared their independence and wish to re-join Armenia. So when you say the region belongs to the Azeris, your are defending the illegal act of a nasty piece of work called Stalin.
James Lincoln says
Sabri S,
Lest we all forget…
Back in May 2020, you posted that the father did the right thing by beheading his 13-year-old daughter…
gravenimage says
Sabri S. wrote:
There is no anti-western bias.
………………………….
No one said it was. What is Sabri S. babbling about here?
More:
The ethnic armenians living in the area are on AZERBAIJAN’s LAND!! Lets not let the islamophobic bigots spin this into some sort of Christian vs. Islam thing. It is not. Azeris are muslim and this is muslim land.
………………………….
Wait–this isn’t “some Christian vs. Islam thing, but this is *Muslim* land” (note, Sabri S. doesn’t say Azeri land). He just contradicted himself in the same paragraph.
More:
And unlike similar situations, say the Ukranians and Russians, these two do NOT speak the same language, have the same culture, nor share a common history. Azerbaijan made the stupid mistake of letting the armenians set up shop and take over the territory population wise. It will be easy to drive out any armenian army that tries to set up or operate there among the civilian population. Allah U Akbar, and may the Azerbaijani’s free their territory shortly.
………………………….
Actually, Armenians have lived in this region for millenia–*far* longer than the invading Muslims.
And note that while Sabri S. is pretending that this has nothing to do with Islam, he is screaming “Allah U Akbar”. Grimly hilarious.
And the Azeris have been shelling non-strategic Armenian Churches and importing Syrian Jihadists as mercenaries. The idea that Muslims are not treating this as a Jihad is absurd.
jirtu says
Sabri, I can’t decide whether you are more deficient in knowledge or in the ability to communicate. Thus, your comment inadvertently hurts your misguided cause.
George says
Sabri take it easy and accept the truth.The Armenians lived there thousand years before Azeri turks arrived.Stalin gave the region to Azerbaijan. Armenians don’t want to be under Muslim rule because they know how intolerant you are to all religions.That’s why they faught the 1988 1994 war won and gained independence. 150 thousand faught 7 mil back then plus Chechen and Afgani jihadis.And they won.
And again they will win against 10 mil plus Turkish support and Syrian jihadis this time.
Realize it you don’t fight only Armenians you fight against the One and Only real God the God of Orthodox Christians.
You have no chance. Bring all the international jihadis and Turkish army you are doomed to fail.
God bless Armenians.
Peter Buckley says
I would recommend Raymond Ibrahim’s articles when it comes to putting the jihad against Christians into context:
https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2019/05/06/the-first-and-forgotten-armenian-genocide-of-1019-ad/
https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2020/10/07/turkey-rekindles-the-armenian-genocide/
Like the vast majority of muslims, Sabri (above) hasn’t the faintest clue about such things.
LOL…
gravenimage says
Yes–Raymond Ibrahim–a frequent contributor at Jihad Watch–does excellent work.
As for Sabri S., he knows all about this. He just doesn’t want *us* to know.
Jan Favre says
The majority of Western media are anti-Christian regarding Christians being faithful to the bible.
Colin Holman says
That is the pure truth!
peter says
Journalists are nothing but corporate employees and their loyalty is first to the corporation who writes their pay check and truth is the last priority . People have become smart and an average Joe does not trust media and journalists They have become very cynical of journalists and media and in my opinion rightly so . The worst offenders in this conspiracy is the left wing and liberal media all over the world with Aljazeera and BBC leading the pack . Shame on the media and journalists and kudos to internet which is the saviour .
gravenimage says
Not all journalists are like this–but honest journalists get little support.
roger says
It’s all very reminiscent of the way the Western media covered the Yugoslavian conflict, siding with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo against Serbia for the same reasons outlined in this article.
Rbla says
Notice that anywhere in the world Muslims are in conflict with other groups the media and western ‘intelligentsia’ always favors the Muslim side. Muslims versus Christians in the Mideast, Balkans, Philippines and Caucasus. Muslims versus Christians and animist’s in Africa, Muslims versus Jews in Israel, Muslims versus Hindus in India, Muslims versus Buddhists in Myanmar and Thailand. The only exception is the one area where Muslims might actually be persecuted, Sinkiang. Why? Because Muslims have entered into an unholy alliance with the Chicoms who they regard as the ‘strong horse’.
Moa says
The globalists see Christianity as the enemy, and Muslims as allies against that enemy. Why ? because the globalist values are anti-Christ(ian). You are seeing moral inversion and the rise of globalism which has what most would call ‘satanic’ values (without the pantomime that overt satanists parade).
This is a spiritual war no matter how much those under the globalist narratives consider it purely ideological.
Boycott Turkey says
Yes western Media is Anti Armenian Anti Greek and just pro Turk I not even seen a report on Western media how Turkey is threatening Greece and Cyprus again I read that on RT which is also going the same way as western media Pro Turk and Anti Greek and Armenian. Azeris and Turks are calling for Ethnic Cleansing of the Armenians from Artkash I have listened lately to Azeris on social media they are vile nasty disgusting nazis they said they would kill Armenians baby’s and wouldn’t care as those baby’s are future enemy’s I keep hearing how secular they are but they are the most disgusting vile people I have ever heard I don’t care they can carry on frothing at the mouth Armenians will never give up Artkash they think because Armenians are small in numbers they can bully them of the land I Pray for Armenians who are being persecuted by this evil sick world of Islam and Western liberals
gravenimage says
Agree–all very troubling.
Mafya says
Being secular or irreligious does not make a person a decent human being, Boycott Turkey. Azeris are mainly secular but they don’t hesitate to use the evil jihadis as mercenaries. Another example, fascist dictator Ataturk, he secularized Turkey but remember that he was an Ottoman Pasha & Marshal and he not only denied the genocides of Christians but also persecuted Greeks and other Christians. Every secular or irreligious Turk I know denies the genocide of Armenians because they are Turkish nationalists. In my opinion they can claim Mongolia as their homelands as you wrote above and I think this is what they should just do and leave us alone !
jirtu says
Among top Ataturk “achievements”:
1. He dropped the Arabic alphabet for the Latin (a wow achievement)
2. He banned the tradition hat, the fez (anothe wow achievement)
3. He started the Izmir fire killing countless Greeks and Armenians…and then blamed the city’s Christians for starting the fire (a really wow achievement up there with Nero’s burning of Rome)
4. Unprovoked, he attacked tiny Armenia to finish the genocidal mission of the Young Turks.
(this is another big-time wow achievement).
The western media never mentions that St. Ataturk was Hitler’s hero. Hitler admired Ataturk’s efficiency in eliminating the Armenians.
The western media never mentions that Ataturk was a dictator who killed countless Kurds and Alevis.
The western media prefers to dwell on the fact that Ataturk banned the veil but ignores that this “feminist” was avowed frequenter of brothels (in his younger days) and had the prostitutes delivered to his palace when he became the Father of the Turks (Ataturk). He died from syphilis of the brain..
Boycott Turkey says
Jirtu well said it’s welcome Thanks for the article it’s true I get fed up with hearing how great and secular Attaturk was after all the crimes he committed Attaturk was no better then Hitler being secular means nothing if you Genocide people The Azeris who also are said to be secular are the most nasty vile hateful people I have ever heard and called on killing Armenians to me it makes no difference secular or not
gravenimage says
+1
Boycott Turkey says
Mafya true I wish they would just go away And not come back Turkey is now saying that Crete and Rhodes is not Greek and have started exploring for oil again I think Erdogan is getting very desperate because of the economy is collapsing due to COVID so his looking for oil also one of the reasons his instigated this war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is to make money from selling weapons to Azerbaijan I hope it all blows up in his ugly face
Boycott Turkey says
I think more country’s need to recognise Artkash like Greece Cyprus Russia Serbia I heard only South Ossetia recognises Artkash and I heard that France might recognise it the more country’s who recognise it the better.
Cornelius says
>Although it has been clear from day one that it was Azerbaijan—aided by Turkey and mercenary terrorist—who started the war, western journalists keep repeating that both sides blame the other. If the journalist can’t determine this essential fact, what is he or she doing “reporting” on the war.
If Mr Tutunian is referring to the latest round of fighting, he is surely right. But the “war” started long ago…when, after the break-up of the Soviet Union, the local Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh – a region of AZERBAIJAN – started fighting for self-determination and were aided by Armenia. One can make a compelling case that the Armenians of the region have every right to self-determination, but I hope we can avoid using the typical tactics of the Islamo-left by using revisionism and victimology to contort the truth.
In the 1950s, Khrushchev gave the Crimea and adjacent territories to the Ukraine as a “gift”…(an attempt to alleviate the resentments caused by Stalin’s collectivization campaigns in the ’30s that starved millions of Ukrainians). Today, Russia is taking back this gift, ostensibly to protect the rights of the local Russian majority of these territories who had been living under Ukrainian rule. I think most of us can agree this is wrong….but how different is it than what’s happening in Nagorno-Karabakh?
I’m rooting for Armenia all the way in this conflict because of my ideological proclivities….and am very concerned that Azerbaijani might end up winning. But that doesn’t prevent me from acknowledging that the Azeris – like the Ukrainians – have legitimate grievances….specifically, the violent wresting-away of a region of their own territory.
Life is complicated. Very few arguments are black and white. Our Islamo-left opponents see almost every conflict as such. I like to think we on the right are better than that.
jirtu says
Cornelius, Please read my two earlier posts for the reasons why Nagorno-Karabakh does not belong to the Azeris.
gravenimage says
Western Media’s Anti-Armenian Coverage of the Azeri Invasion
……………..
Good article–I have noticed this troubling trend. And welcome to contributor Jirair Tutunjian.
jewdog says
Erdogan knows that Azerbaijan is of great strategic importance to Israel. Israel gets 40% of her oil from it and Azerbaijan is located next to Iran, making it a good launching point for an attack. It therefore may be true that this escalation has been encouraged and is being exploited by Turkey as a means of disrupting that relationship.
First, Israeli arms exports to Azerbaijan are now being questioned inside Israel for justifiably moral reasons, and that angle is one point of attack; Turkey does not want Israel having any military presence or influence there. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has been relatively secular, and has had an antagonistic relationship with fellow-Shiite Iran. Now, Turkey can pose as her savior and will doubtless try to encourage Azerbaijan to be more Islamic and less anti-Iran, hence her bellicosity and use of Syrian proxies as an opening wedge.
I’m not sure what the answer to all this is, but Erdogan’s evil schemes should be exposed.
ckgarabed says
This is not only the beginning of Armenian Genocide 2.0.
It is a war on the truth.
Thank you, Jirair Tutunjian.
Hassan says
Inshallah, This Struggle Will Continue Until Nagorno-Karabagh Is Liberated from Occupation
jirtu says
So you think God is on your side, Hassan. When was the last time he phonedyou?
Sweet dreams about taking Artsakh from Armenians. Armenian soldiers are sympathetic: they are dispatching promptly Islamic terrorists to their dates with the 72 virgins.
Boycott Turkey says
God Willing may brave Armenian soliders send all your terrorist soldier’s to hell where Muhammad is burning 🔥 👹
John says
I am of Armenian descent and am extremely disappointed at Western Media/BBC for egregious anti-Armenian and pro-Azeri stories. It makes me soooo sad and disappointed at the role of media in portraying Armenia as evil and Azerbaijan as good guys…
It makes me sick to my stomach.
That’s all I have to say.
jirtu says
Azerbaijan has oil. Armenia doesn’t.
Azerbaijan oil will service, through the Southern Corridor, Italy and other southern European countries.
Western companies, starting with BP and EXXON, have billions invested in Baku oil fields and pipelines.
An Anglo-American mining conglomerate (John Sununu’s son is high up in the company) want to open a gold mine in Nagorno-Karabakh which would poison the earth and water. Armenian environmentalist stopped it. the conglomerate has been assured by Aliev there would be no problem.