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YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION ADOPTED
ENP, MCA AND MDG IN ARMENIAN MEDIA
HEARINGS ON THE SUIT VERSUS "ARABOT" DELAYED
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION ADOPTED
On September 28 the RA National Assembly passed the draft amendments to the
Constitution of Armenia in the third reading and finally.
As it has been reported, before the discussion of the draft in the third
reading Yerevan Press Club made its proposals to the National Assembly on
the amendments to the Constitution. The statement of YPC, disseminated on
September 15, noted the insufficient involvement of Armenian public in the
constitutional reform process and concern was voiced over certain provisions
of the draft, particularly, those referring to freedom of expression and
information. Since the draft cannot be substantially improved after the
second reading, Yerevan Press Club made proposals of editorial nature that
would make the appropriate provisions more specific and would contribute to
the greater clarity of phrasings (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 9-15, 2005).
The proposals of editorial nature made by YPC were taken into account in the
final text of the Constitution.
At the same time, YPC proposed to introduce the greatest clarity possible in
the status and the role of body created in the sphere of broadcast media.
Namely, it was recommended that Article 83.2 ("To ensure freedom,
independence and diversity of broadcast mass media, in accordance with the
law, an independent body is established. Half of its members are elected by
the National Assembly, and the other half is appointed by the President of
the Republic - for 6 years' term of service. The National Assembly elects
the members of this body by a majority of the total number of deputies") be
narrated as follows: "In accordance with the law, a body is established,
regulating the activities of public and private broadcast mass media,
contributing to their diversity. To ensure the greatest independence of this
body, half of its members are elected by the National Assembly and half is
appointed by the President of the Republic - for 6 years' term of service.
The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority of the
total number of deputies."
In the text of the Constitution adopted in the third reading Article 83.2
did not undergo significant changes, but for one clarification: the body
mentioned in it is now specified on only as "independent", but also as
"regulatory". Thus, the Article is presently narrated as follows: "To ensure
freedom, independence and diversity of broadcast mass media, in accordance
with the law, an independent regulatory body is established. Half of its
members are elected, for 6 years' term of service, by the National Assembly,
half is appointed by the President of the Republic - for 6 years' term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies." In other words, the purpose of
establishing a regulatory body and its status remain vaguely defined in the
Main Law.
ENP, MCA AND MDG IN ARMENIAN MEDIA
On September 23-25 in Tsaghkadzor a seminar "Coverage of International
Programs in Armenian Media" was held. The event was organized by Yerevan
Press Club with the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The event
brought together representatives of media, NGOs, also journalistic
associations, state structures of Armenia and international missions
accredited in the country.
The prospects of the program of the EU European Neighborhood Policy in
Armenia were presented to the seminar participants by the Head of Department
on Cooperation with World Trade Organization and EU of the RA Ministry of
Trade and Economic Development Vahagn Ghazarian and the Head of the EU
Department of the RA Foreign Ministry Armen Liloyan. The Chairman of
"European Integration" NGO Karen Bekarian told about the impact of the
program on democratic reforms in the country and its coverage in media.
The start of implementation of another major program in Armenia, the
Millennium Challenge Account, funded by US Government, was the subject of
the presentation by Deputy Head of Armenian group of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation Hovhannes Azizian. The necessity of ensuring the
transparency of this program was highlighted by the head of the Center for
Regional Development/Armenian branch of "Transparency International" Amalia
Kostanian.
Another project, also implemented in many countries of the world, including
Armenia, the UN Millennium Development Goals was presented by the economist
of UNDP Armenian Office Aghasi Mkrtchian.
The producer of Internews Armenia NGO Armen Sargsian told about how Armenian
media cover these issued and the subjects of public importance in general.
HEARINGS ON THE SUIT VERSUS "ARABOT" DELAYED
On September 23 at the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and
Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan the hearings on the suit of the former
assistant of Electrical Energy Chair of State Engineering (Polytechnic)
University Karen Khachatrian versus "Aravot" daily started and were
postponed. The plaintiff demanded that the daily publish the refutation text
prepared by him to the article "Sexual Harassment of a Student", published
in "Aravot" on June 24, 2005. The piece was based on the complaint of a
group of students and professors of the Engineering University about the
behavior of Karen Khachatrian and his father Varos Khachatrian, a professor
of the same Chair, addressed to the RA Human Rights Defender.
The consideration of the suit of Karen Khachatrian versus "Aravot" was
postponed since presently criminal proceedings are underway on the appeal of
the father of a female student of the Engineering University. The court has
no competence to consider the civil suit, filed by Karen Khachatrian, until
the investigation is over.
As it has been reported, a similar suit with the same claim was filed by
Karen Kachatrian versus "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" newspaper. The court
hearings again were delayed due to the same reason (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 9-15, 2005).
Meanwhile, it became known that Karen Khachatrian is no longer employed by
the Engineering University. As "Aravot" daily reported on September 24 with
a reference to the Rector of the Engineering University Yuri Sargsian,
considering the big amount of complaints from students, the administration
did not find reasons to sign a contract with Karen Khachatrian.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter - Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.ypc.am
SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION ADOPTED
ENP, MCA AND MDG IN ARMENIAN MEDIA
HEARINGS ON THE SUIT VERSUS "ARABOT" DELAYED
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION ADOPTED
On September 28 the RA National Assembly passed the draft amendments to the
Constitution of Armenia in the third reading and finally.
As it has been reported, before the discussion of the draft in the third
reading Yerevan Press Club made its proposals to the National Assembly on
the amendments to the Constitution. The statement of YPC, disseminated on
September 15, noted the insufficient involvement of Armenian public in the
constitutional reform process and concern was voiced over certain provisions
of the draft, particularly, those referring to freedom of expression and
information. Since the draft cannot be substantially improved after the
second reading, Yerevan Press Club made proposals of editorial nature that
would make the appropriate provisions more specific and would contribute to
the greater clarity of phrasings (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 9-15, 2005).
The proposals of editorial nature made by YPC were taken into account in the
final text of the Constitution.
At the same time, YPC proposed to introduce the greatest clarity possible in
the status and the role of body created in the sphere of broadcast media.
Namely, it was recommended that Article 83.2 ("To ensure freedom,
independence and diversity of broadcast mass media, in accordance with the
law, an independent body is established. Half of its members are elected by
the National Assembly, and the other half is appointed by the President of
the Republic - for 6 years' term of service. The National Assembly elects
the members of this body by a majority of the total number of deputies") be
narrated as follows: "In accordance with the law, a body is established,
regulating the activities of public and private broadcast mass media,
contributing to their diversity. To ensure the greatest independence of this
body, half of its members are elected by the National Assembly and half is
appointed by the President of the Republic - for 6 years' term of service.
The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority of the
total number of deputies."
In the text of the Constitution adopted in the third reading Article 83.2
did not undergo significant changes, but for one clarification: the body
mentioned in it is now specified on only as "independent", but also as
"regulatory". Thus, the Article is presently narrated as follows: "To ensure
freedom, independence and diversity of broadcast mass media, in accordance
with the law, an independent regulatory body is established. Half of its
members are elected, for 6 years' term of service, by the National Assembly,
half is appointed by the President of the Republic - for 6 years' term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies." In other words, the purpose of
establishing a regulatory body and its status remain vaguely defined in the
Main Law.
ENP, MCA AND MDG IN ARMENIAN MEDIA
On September 23-25 in Tsaghkadzor a seminar "Coverage of International
Programs in Armenian Media" was held. The event was organized by Yerevan
Press Club with the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The event
brought together representatives of media, NGOs, also journalistic
associations, state structures of Armenia and international missions
accredited in the country.
The prospects of the program of the EU European Neighborhood Policy in
Armenia were presented to the seminar participants by the Head of Department
on Cooperation with World Trade Organization and EU of the RA Ministry of
Trade and Economic Development Vahagn Ghazarian and the Head of the EU
Department of the RA Foreign Ministry Armen Liloyan. The Chairman of
"European Integration" NGO Karen Bekarian told about the impact of the
program on democratic reforms in the country and its coverage in media.
The start of implementation of another major program in Armenia, the
Millennium Challenge Account, funded by US Government, was the subject of
the presentation by Deputy Head of Armenian group of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation Hovhannes Azizian. The necessity of ensuring the
transparency of this program was highlighted by the head of the Center for
Regional Development/Armenian branch of "Transparency International" Amalia
Kostanian.
Another project, also implemented in many countries of the world, including
Armenia, the UN Millennium Development Goals was presented by the economist
of UNDP Armenian Office Aghasi Mkrtchian.
The producer of Internews Armenia NGO Armen Sargsian told about how Armenian
media cover these issued and the subjects of public importance in general.
HEARINGS ON THE SUIT VERSUS "ARABOT" DELAYED
On September 23 at the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and
Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan the hearings on the suit of the former
assistant of Electrical Energy Chair of State Engineering (Polytechnic)
University Karen Khachatrian versus "Aravot" daily started and were
postponed. The plaintiff demanded that the daily publish the refutation text
prepared by him to the article "Sexual Harassment of a Student", published
in "Aravot" on June 24, 2005. The piece was based on the complaint of a
group of students and professors of the Engineering University about the
behavior of Karen Khachatrian and his father Varos Khachatrian, a professor
of the same Chair, addressed to the RA Human Rights Defender.
The consideration of the suit of Karen Khachatrian versus "Aravot" was
postponed since presently criminal proceedings are underway on the appeal of
the father of a female student of the Engineering University. The court has
no competence to consider the civil suit, filed by Karen Khachatrian, until
the investigation is over.
As it has been reported, a similar suit with the same claim was filed by
Karen Kachatrian versus "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" newspaper. The court
hearings again were delayed due to the same reason (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 9-15, 2005).
Meanwhile, it became known that Karen Khachatrian is no longer employed by
the Engineering University. As "Aravot" daily reported on September 24 with
a reference to the Rector of the Engineering University Yuri Sargsian,
considering the big amount of complaints from students, the administration
did not find reasons to sign a contract with Karen Khachatrian.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter - Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.ypc.am