Intimidation of journalists in Armenia and Azerbaijan shows the importance of a free press in times of war

Not only is it critical for rooting out incompetence and corruption, questioning the necessity of an armed conflict is crucial, writes Borzou Daragahi

The aftermath of shelling in Ganja, Azerbaijan, at the weekend (EPA-EFE)

War is raging in the Caucasus and, as usual, honest journalists and activists seeking to tell the truth or express opposition are paying the price.  

In both Armenia and Azerbaijan, news outlets, journalists and peace advocates have been intimidated and threatened by government officials; and even when officials back off, online boosters fill the void with vile threats and harassment.  

“It doesn’t matter if you are a journalist, activist or rights defender, as long as you’re in favour of peace you’re immediately sidelined,” said Arzu Geybulla, an Istanbul-based Azerbaijani journalist. “It’s very hard to be covering the war independently.”

Independent media seeking to cover the war have been hindered. Geybulla noticed dismayingly on her Facebook page that all Azerbaijani news outlets are using the same rhetoric and tone as the government. “It’s quite gloomy,” she said. “It’s disappointing.”

Armenia in 2018 underwent a revolution which emboldened the press, and reduced censorship attempts by the government. But that hasn’t stopped online keyboard warriors from attacking anyone seeking to present a balanced point of view. Onnik James Krikorian, a British journalist covering the Caucasus for more than 25 years, has been vilified online for calling for dialogue.

“The amount of aggressive responses from Armenians, mainly in the diaspora, was predictable,” said Krikorian, who is of Armenian descent. “It’s an attempt to intimidate, silence, and dehumanise anyone that doesn’t toe the nationalist line.”

In times of war, not only is a free press critical for rooting out incompetence and corruption in the war effort, questioning the necessity of an armed conflict is crucial. Are young soldiers’ and innocent civilians' lives being needlessly sacrificed to fulfil some ageing patriarch’s fantasies?

In retrospect, for example, the dissidents and pacifists who were jailed and censored for criticising the pointless years-long slaughterhouse called the First World War were right. The jingoistic nationalists, industrialists and press barons who glorified the war were wrong.

But nations never learn.  

“At this point, if you’re pro-peace on both ends you’re going to get labelled [as] not patriotic enough, you’re not nationalistic enough,” said Geybulla, “one way or another.”

Yours, 

Borzou Daragahi  

International correspondent