By: Katy Simonian

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) will bestow the prestigious Steve Artinian Visionary Activist Award to three Armenian media outlets that have transformed the way Armenians receive their news and continue to elevate standards for truth and transparency. For their continued, imperative efforts to raise awareness about the plight of Armenians everywhere, from Armenia and Artsakh to the many corners of the Diaspora, 301, The Armenian Report and Zartonk Media will receive this special honor for excellence in journalism at the 2024 Awards ceremony which will be held on Sunday, October 20th at The Beverly Hilton.

The award will be presented by Fox 11 News Anchor and Emmy Award winning journalist Araksya Karapetyan.

The dynamic trio, with their shared commitment to excellence in reporting issues of great importance to the Armenian people, honors the award’s namesake, Steve Artinian himself – who was a tireless champion of the Armenian Cause and whose legacy continues to inspire generations of activists. His belief in the power of media as a force for change is shared by this year’s recipients – a fact, apparent in the quality of their content, presence across social media, and shared vision for a space that connects all Armenians through independent journalism across the world.

The guiding principles of each news outlet center around the need to reach the public with speed and accuracy in order to amplify the voices and experiences of the Armenian people who often find themselves forsaken by mainstream media outlets. Each was founded to serve as a force for change and to reestablish trust between the press and the public.

301 has emerged as the leading independent multi-media news outlet based in Armenia, Artsakh and the vast Armenian Diaspora. Relying on the support of its followers to maintain its independence and ability to hire and nurture more reporters in the field, 301 has become a trusted source for current affairs, history, culture, politics and most profoundly, scenes from the frontlines in Artsakh and Armenia. 301 has most notably covered every stage of Azerbaijan’s campaign of genocide, from its unprovoked invasion in 2020, to its aggression in Syunik, and extending through the Artsakh blockade and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s Armenian population. The mission is simple – to provide the most up-to-date news along with thoughtful context to promote a deeper understanding of Armenia’s position in the world. The goal is to expand its operations to reach more people and to inform the international community of the plight of the Armenian people – from ongoing threats of invasion to achievements in the arts, sports, sciences, and the many contributions of Armenians to global society.

The Armenian Report shares this commitment to outreach and has continued to expand since its creation by Founder Anna Kachikyan. After an impressive media career spanning over a decade which included her work at CNBC Business News, NBC, and being one of the original cast members featured on TMZ, Kachikyan founded The Armenian Report to unite Armenians from around the world through creating a space for greater knowledge and perspectives about the Armenian Nation. The team at The Armenian Report proudly maintains their position as an independent media outlet, and a source for information, especially for Armenian youth. Their stance as one of the most followed sources across social media continues to grow. From videos to print news, The Armenian Report has become a sought-after resource for the Armenian community.

Zartonk Media values the trust of its followers and stands as a dominant source for daily news. Founders Van Der Megerdichian and Zaven Kouroghlian are leading the way in promoting the importance of independent Armenian media by encouraging debate among the many voices of the Diaspora on matters of politics, business, sports and culture. The Zartonk team believes in transforming the way news is received by viewers by reporting and presenting compelling content that is often shared across various social media platforms. Their mission is to expand the reach of Armenia’s presence in the media and they have the followers to prove it – with over 160,000 and counting. Zartonk’s Manifesto, documented on their website, is a steadfast commitment to truth and earning the trust of all people by offering the most current, meaningful, accurate reporting on Armenia, Artsakh and the Diasporan Armenian community.

The need for enriching the trust between the public and the media is paramount to maintaining democracy in the United States, Armenia and across the world. The future of Armenia is at the core of international politics, yet this fact is often eclipsed by efforts of obstruction and distortion by those who seek to subvert the sovereignty of Armenia and the stability of countries across hemispheres. The strength of a free and independent press, trusted by the people, is most crucial for safeguarding democracy for the people of Armenia, Artsakh and Armenians from all corners of the world.

In the immortal words of Steve Artinian, “Telling the truth in the face of adversity – doing what is right, simply because it is the right thing to do – raising our voices to protect others – these are the things that unite us as Armenians. This is who we are. This is what makes us strong. The beauty of our community comes from our love of our Motherland, our faith, and our willingness to help others. Doing the right thing is an act of courage. We as Armenians are courageous and we are a source for positive change in the world. May our light shine brighter when we stand together through our commitment to truth and justice for all.”

His words echo through the noble work of 301, The Armenian Report and Zartonk Media, as each promotes knowledge, vigilance and a spirit of community for all Armenians.

For more information about Steve Artinian’s extraordinary legacy of service, the vital work of 301, The Armenian Report and Zartonk Media, and to purchase tickets to the ANCA-WR Gala, click here.

The Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Katy Simonian is a member of the 2024 ANCA-WR Gala Committee.