ANCA urges NBC to explain improper coverage of Armenia at Olympics opening

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Ken Hachikian filed a note to CEO/President of NBC Universal Media Stephen Burke, expressing disappointment over the coverage of Armenia’s team at London Olympics opening ceremony.

“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,” the note reads.