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ANCA Protests NBC's Snub Of Armenia's Olympics Team

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  • ANCA Protests NBC's Snub Of Armenia's Olympics Team

    ANCA PROTESTS NBC'S SNUB OF ARMENIA'S OLYMPICS TEAM
    by Ara Khachatourian

    asbarez
    Monday, July 30th, 2012

    WASHINGTON-The ANCA joined thousands of frustrated Armenians across the
    U.S. and around the world Monday in expressing frustration with NBC's
    short and silent coverage of Armenia's Olympic team during its coverage
    of the 2012 Olympics opening ceremonies in London on July 27th.

    In a letter sent to NBC CEO and President Stephen Burke, ANCA Chairman
    Ken Hachikian noted "We were troubled by the absence of any commentary
    or background - scripted or otherwise - about Armenia, a nation with
    a history of thousands of years, and a proud legacy of participation
    in the Olympic games. In the place of information, your viewers were
    treated to a single line - "Armenia, now walking in" and then nothing
    more about Armenia during the very short on-screen time devoted to
    broadcasting only a single member of the more than two dozen athletes
    on the Armenian team." The ANCA letter called for an explanation
    and apology, as well as a commitment from NBC to provide meaningful
    coverage of Armenia and her athletes during the remainder of the games.

    The ANCA first voiced the community's concerns on its Facebook page -
    www.facebook.com/ancagrassroots - on Friday, and issued its letter
    earlier today. These concerns have been echoed by Facebook and Twitter
    posts from around the world.

    The full text of the letter is provided below.

    I am writing, on behalf of your many U.S.-based viewers of Armenian
    heritage, to share with you our disappointment over the very short
    and inexplicably silent coverage of the Republic of Armenia's team
    during your broadcast of the opening ceremonies of the London 2012
    Summer Olympics.

    We were troubled by the absence of any commentary or background -
    scripted or otherwise - about Armenia, a nation with a history of
    thousands of years, and a proud legacy of participation in the Olympic
    games. In the place of information, your viewers were treated to a
    single line - "Armenia, now walking in" and then nothing more about
    Armenia during the very short on-screen time devoted to broadcasting
    only a single member of the more than two dozen athletes on the
    Armenian team. The

    inadequacy of the coverage provided to Armenia, relative to that
    provided nearly every other country, was underscored by the hundreds
    of community complaints we continue to field on this matter. NBC's
    dismissive treatment of Armenia was disrespectful not only to the
    citizens of Armenia, but to a world-wide Diaspora that includes
    over 1.5 million Armenian Americans. Such actions undermine NBC's
    longstanding relationship with its viewers who care about Armenia. We
    call upon you to explain and apologize for the shortcomings in NBC's
    broadcast of the Armenian team, and to ensure proper coverage of
    Armenia and her athletes during the remainder of the Olympics.

    Thank you for your consideration of our concerns.

    Sincerely, Kenneth V. Hachikian Chairman

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