Visiting D&C investigative journalist from Armenia: Yes, I like Wegmans
Could I ever imagine sitting in Rochester writing an introduction column for the local newspaper? Definitely not.
Hi, I’m Lucy, a journalist from Armenia. I came to the United States through the State Department’s Professional Partnership in Journalism program. I’ll be living in Rochester for a month, doing a fellowship at the Democrat and Chronicle.
During my time in the U.S. I’m trying to learn more about American journalism. My first impression so far is that the media environment here is quite different from that in Armenia, although we share common challenges. I hope to bring back some solutions to Armenia based on my experiences here.
Armenia? ‘Like Kim Kardashian?’
I’m 23 and from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. When I tell people here that I’m Armenian, I usually get two responses: “Like Kim Kardashian?” and “Oh, I’ve heard about the Armenian genocide.”
If you know anything else about Armenia, I’d love to hear it.
As a kid, I wanted to be a sports commentator because I love soccer. I thought I would become a sports commentator, move to Barcelona and marry Leo Messi. However, my grand plan failed.
I’ve always loved detective stories —Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I would investigate where my mom hid New Year’s candies or the toys that later Santa would place under the Christmas tree. In my first year at university, I took a fact-checking course and realized I preferred uncovering the hidden and revealing the unknown to describing and telling about the known.
That’s when I realized I won’t make a sports commentator.
Curiosity leads to investigative story about suspect Armenian campaign donations
I’m very curious, sometimes excessively so. I enjoy meeting new people, learning their stories and sharing their emotions. My superpower is skepticism, approaching situations from all possible angles. I know, it’s not a superpower kids dream of — being invisible or flying sounds more attractive, but it helps me in journalism.
I graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at Yerevan State University and took an investigative journalism course at a local media school. I work at Infocom.am, an Armenian media outlet. In my short career, I’ve tried several roles: translator (Armenian-Russian-English), mobile journalist, scientific event organizer and interviewer on higher education issues. Currently, I work as a journalist mostly on investigative, research-based and data-driven projects.
Earlier this year, I worked on my first big investigative story about suspect donations and unidentified sources in the ruling party’s election campaign finances in Armenia. Our team discovered that transactions were made in the names of people who either were unaware of their donations or, if aware, clearly did not have the means to make them, based on their living conditions and incomes.
This investigation was challenging due to the tight deadline, and I couldn’t have completed it without the support of my editors and colleagues.
This project was also my first experience managing risks. Investigative journalism often involves revealing uncomfortable truths about different people, which can pose significant risks. It’s important to stay focused on the public interest while protecting your sources, who may not always be fully aware of the risks involved.
As a journalist, you must ensure all your facts are accurate and be certain of what you write, as inaccuracies or even minor misuse of words can cause significant harm. You might be accused of lying, you might be accused of serving someone else’s interests or even fabricating evidence. And there will always be a lot of overthinking as a story is prepared for publication.
Falling in love with Mount Hope Cemetery and Rochester front porches
When I learned I’d be doing my fellowship in Rochester, I immediately looked it up on the map since I’d never heard of it. Lake Erie was the first familiar thing, thanks to my guilty pleasure: true crime documentaries. One of my favorite shows is “The Lake Erie Murders,” so I thought this might be a sign, though I’m not sure of what.
An odd fact about me is that I like old cemeteries. Though it might sound creepy, I believe old graves reveal much about culture. If I weren’t a journalist, I’d probably be an archaeologist. I have already visited Mount Hope Cemetery and plan to return to learn from the thousands of old graves there.
I grew up watching Disney and Nickelodeon TV shows. The houses in Rochester, many with lovely front porches in the Park and East avenues neighborhood, remind me of those I saw on TV. It feels like I’m living in one of those shows.
I’ve been in Rochester for two days, and so far it’s been very welcoming. Despite waking up to a fire alarm on the first night and ending up in a street full of police and a boisterous crowd, it’s been exciting.
And yes, I’ve already visited Wegmans, and I really liked it. I’ve been told that if I say this, the locals will like me.
Sunday, I tried a cheeseburger at Bill Gray’s. I can’t say if it’s the world’s greatest cheeseburger, but it’s definitely the best I’ve ever had (and I’m not just saying that for the locals to like me).
At the Democrat and Chronicle, I’ll be doing data and neighborhood reporting. I look forward to meeting the people of Rochester, learning their stories and voicing their problems and concerns.
The Democrat and Chronicle is pleased to host Armenian journalist Lucy Manvelian this spring. She is here thanks to a partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies that makes possible the U.S.-Armenia Professional Partnership in Journalism (PPJ) Program. Lucy and Armenian journalists at other American newspapers this spring are seeking to improve their understanding of disinformation, strengthen their reporting skills, and cultivate U.S. relationships.
