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SYDNEY: Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Mr Michael Rubin was honoured with the Armenian National Committee of Australia's prestigious Ben Bagdikian Media Award for 2022 at the organisation's Annual Gala.

In 2019, the ANC-AU introduced the Ben Bagdikian Media Award, which would recognise those in media who had the most impact in raising awareness concerning matters important to Australian-Armenians.

Michael Rubin specialises in Armenia, Iran, Turkey, and the broader Middle East, contributing to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog, where he has written several articles regarding the Armenian Genocide, the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict and occupation, as well as other issues relating to the Caucasus concerning Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia.

In his acceptance video, Rubin said: “The importance of truth and freedom trump political and diplomatic convenience. The fight will be long, but I have no doubt that the more independent observers who visit Artsakh the closer its residence will be to achieve historical justice. Rest assured, I will keep writing. On the Jewish holiday of Passover, we Jews say next year in Jerusalem - let me say here tonight, next year in Shushi."

“Dr Rubin's articles have highlighted the historical truths regarding the Armenian Genocide celebrating the United States' position on the matter while also criticising the current administration's position and lack of action regarding the settlement of the recently occupied Republic of Artsakh,” said ANC-AU Administrative Assistant Areg Grigorian while presented the award.

Unfortunately, Mr Rubin was unable to join the event in person, however graciously accepted the award and provided a video message that can be viewed by clicking here.



The award is named in honour of Ben Bagdikian, an Armenian-American journalist and university professor who was featured in Steven Spielberg’s film The Post (2017), recounting his time as assistant managing editor of The Washington Post, where excerpts of the Pentagon Papers were published, exposing classified material regarding US involvement in the military campaign in Vietnam - despite strong opposition from the Nixon administration. Throughout his career, Bagdikian was hailed for his high ethical standards.

Previous honourees include inaugural recipient, radio broadcaster Alan Jones in 2019, New Zealand-based British journalist James Robins in 2020 and ABC TV anchor Michael Brissenden in 2021.