Aravot

Aravot (Armenian: «Առավոտ», "Morning") is a leading liberal and politically independent daily newspaper based in Yerevan, Armenia. It was founded in 1994. Its editor-in-chief is Aram Abrahamyan.

History and political alignment

Sources differ on who founded the newspaper. Some hold it was the newspaper's long-time editor Aram Abrahamyan, others believe it was the controversial Interior Minister Vano Siradeghyan, while still others refer to a general "editorial staff". Its first issue was published on August 2, 1994. At the time its editor-in-chief was Ignat Mamyan. Aram Abrahamyan replaced him in December 1994.

Sources generally agree that Aravot was supportive of President Levon Ter-Petrosyan (1991-1998) and his liberal party Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh), although it gave space to different points of view. Abrahamyan denied that he was close to Ter-Petrosyan and his government in a 2004 interview and added: "Go and ask the former government what they think about Aravot. You'll realize that their attitude is anything but positive."