Los Angeles, CA – On August 7, 2007 the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) participants toured the Asbarez and Horizon TV offices where they were introduced to the day to day operations of Armenian American media outlets. Led by Ara Khachatourian, the English Edition Editor of Asbarez, and Harry Vorperian, the General Manager of Horizon TV, the interns learned about many aspects of creating television programming and publishing a newspaper.

Khachatourian led the interns on an educational tour through the Asbarez offices and discussed the process of producing a first class newspaper. He was joined by Armenian Edition Editor, Vatche Proudian, who spoke about the history of Asbarez and how the publication developed from a weekly newsletter published in Fresno into a daily newspaper based in Los Angeles that reaches over 500,000 Armenians throughout the western United States.

Khachatourian noted that Asbarez would be celebrating its 100th year of publication in 2008 and discussed some of the ways in which the staff was working to make more of the newspaper’s archives available to the public. He also pointed out ways in which Asbarez is making the news more accessible through its recently enhanced website with new content and breaking news alert features.

The ANC-WR IEP participants also went on the sets of Horizon 24 Hour Armenian TV. The largest and most diversified media corporation in the United States, Horizon broadcasts primarily in Armenian and offers Armenian-Americans across North America diverse programming that covers developments in both the Diaspora and Armenia. Vorperian provided the interns with a sneak peak at the upcoming season’s programs that will be aired on Horizon TV this autumn.

“It was amazing to see how many people are reached by Horizon TV and the Asbarez newspaper,” remarked Aida Siyahian, an ANC-WR Intern specializing in Public and Media Relations. “It was interesting to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at two of the forums through which the Armenian National Committee raises awareness and reaches out to the community.”

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential 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 ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption: ANC-WR IEP participants and coordinator, Haig Hovsepian (2nd from right), with Ara Khatchatourian (far left) and Harry Vorperian (far right). IEP participants (from left to right): Ankineh Zadoorian, Nareg Bostanian, Aida Siyahian, and Taleen Mardirossian.