WASHINGTON — The Armenian Mirror-Spectator partnered with Artsakh’s Public TV when it was still in Artsakh, in a three-story building in Stepanakert. Back then, news presented on Nagorno-Karabakh’s TV’s was translated into English and periodically posted in video form on both the Mirror’s regular and YouTube websites.
In 2023, Azerbaijan’s unprovoked aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh silenced the free voice of Artsakh. But not for too long, as rising from the ashes is not something new for Armenians. Now, a dedicated group is reestablishing Artsakh television operations in the Republic of Armenia.
“As most of our staff found refuge here, we tried to bring them together to preserve our culture, identity, and traditions by setting up our programs. The primary goal is to raise awareness about Artsakh, spread updates about the people of Artsakh, and struggle for their collective right to return. On July 1, 2024, we formally started our broadcasts,” noted Narek Sahakyan, the program director of Artsakh TV.
When we sat down with Narek at his news studio, we decided to take a step back first, revisiting the dark days of 2023.
“During the months of blockade, we witnessed Azerbaijan tirelessly attempting to enforce an informational vacuum: they were disrupting our internet, cutting the cables, blocking the electricity and/or gas supplies from Armenia,” recalls Narek, assuring that despite all the hassles, Artsakh TV continued to function, as the team recognized the profound importance of their informational work.
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan, the population of which exceeds 10 million (according to its official numbers), attacked Nagorno-Karabakh with its 100,000 Armenian population. While the people had to leave their homeland, the staff was able to take with them some of the equipment, but a lot was left behind. What particularly concerned Narek was the film and video archive.
