French Media: Tools of Armenian Propaganda
The aging generation should recall that in Soviet times, the newspaper “L’Humanite” stood as a symbol of freedom-loving France for the USSR peoples. Founded 120 years ago, it initially served as the mouthpiece of the socialists, later the Communist Party of France. After the collapse of the Union, its influence waned, and it teetered on closure in 2019 before being saved. Today, it continues to platform Armenian propaganda.
A notable example is an article published in November 1987 that defended Gorbachev’s advisor Aganbegyan’s controversial proposal to detach the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Azerbaijan.
The French media landscape remains saturated with anti-Azerbaijani content. Publications like Figaro, Le Monde, and L’Humanite regularly publish materials that demonize Azerbaijan. This blatant propaganda campaign aligns with the Armenian narrative, which seeks to perpetuate conflict and sow division.
The case of Gagik Snjoyan, a French wrestler of Armenian descent, exemplifies this propaganda. Despite qualifying for the Paris Olympics, he was inexplicably withdrawn from the competition under mysterious circumstances. L’Humanite sensationalized this incident, portraying Snjoyan as a victim of Azerbaijani aggression.
The reality, however, paints a different picture. Snjoyan himself confirmed that his family pressured him not to participate in the Baku qualifiers, despite receiving protection from the French Wrestling Federation. The international federation also declined to relocate the tournament despite Armenian demands.
L’Humanite’s blatant manipulation of facts undermines its credibility. The publication’s history and stature demand a more responsible approach to reporting.
The absence of credible evidence of widespread persecution or violence against individuals of Armenian descent in Azerbaijan further undermines the claims of Armenian media. The peaceful coexistence of athletes with Armenian surnames at various international events contradicts the narrative of an impending genocide.
the French media’s relentless demonization of Azerbaijan through publications like L’Humanite reflects poorly on the country’s journalistic integrity. It is time for France to move beyond biased narratives and foster a more balanced and objective understanding of the region.