A Google search with keywords “March 1” (in Armenian) yields more than 57 million hits, the first few pages of which are predominantly about the events of 2008 and their aftermath. Along with the news, Google, as it usually does, offers images which correspond to the search. They are exclusively on the topic of the March 1, 2008 clashes, victims, funeral ceremonies, and demonstrations.
A screenshot of a Google search for “March 1” (in Armenian)
conducted on March 1, 2015
March 1, 2008, was one of the hardest days for journalists in Armenia. There were a few professional video cameras on Grigor Lusavorich Street. First, working on the ground was dangerous. Added to this was initially, police officers hindered the work of journalists, then the demonstrators didn’t want to cooperate with TV film crews.
March 1, 2008
Instead, there were many people using non-professional photographic equipment. In 2008, the internet and technology wasn’t as developed in Armenia as it is today. There were no live streams online, and the adoption and use of social networks was just picking up in Armenia. In comparison, blogs were more widespread. Many took photos with their phones, but their options at the time were limited.
March 1, 2008
The Media Initiatives Center (formerly, Internews Media Support NGO) has amassed an archive of photos taken with various devices. At the time, MIC was responsible for the alternative election coverage platform e-channel.am. Today, on the seventh anniversary of March 1, 2008, we are presenting a few of the photos from our archives.
March 1, 2008
March 1, 2008
March 1, 2008
March 1, 2008
March 1, 2008
March 1, 2008
March 2, 2008
March 2, 2008
Gegham Vardanyan
