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YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MAY 19-25, 2006
HIGHLIGHTS:
PERSPECTIVE
WHAT IS HIDDEN BEHIND BELATEDLY REMEMBERED INTEGRITY
"PRESS-CLUB+": DEMOCRATIC PARTY DISCUSSING KARABAGH PROBLEM AND POLITICAL
REFORM
"A1+" BID FOR GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
JOURNALISTIC ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND TO PUNISH THOSE GUILTY OF ATTACK ON "LORI"
TV HEAD
DIFFERENT VERSION OF "FIRST CHANNEL" APPEARED ON ARMENIAN TV AIR
PERSPECTIVE
WHAT IS HIDDEN BEHIND BELATEDLY REMEMBERED INTEGRITY
The more immoral the environment is, the more ardor it displays in the
"revelation" of vices and "smashing" of those members that have fallen or
stumbled - and have thus stopped being dangerous. It is the case when
"moralizing" stands not for a wish to purify, but, rather, for the abuse of
moral categories together with their complete negligence. The two
developments of the past weeks called this truth to mind.
The most vivid of its confirmations were the heated "deliberations" at the
Armenian parliament over the withdrawal of "Orinats Yerkir" party from the
ruling coalition. The picture was so distressing that in order to save the
legislature from the complete public discreditation, one of the deputies
suggested that this parliamentary session be kept out of TV air...
A few days before the press-conference of TV journalist Hamlet Ghushian was
held, where he made an actual confession of having shot an ordered
documentary against the former Chief Commander of Mountainous Karabagh
Defense Army Samvel Babayan. The initiator of the press-conference made a
public apology to the hero of Karabagh war and expressed his willingness to
make a new, impartial film (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, May 12-18, 2006).
I see no sense in assessing the behavior of Hamlet Ghushian who followed the
political agenda of the time when Samvel Babayan had been sentenced for
organizing an attempted assassination of the MK President Arkadiy Ghukasian.
I think, the attitude of Yerevan Press Club towards "publicity orders" and
journalistic "assassinations" is self-evident for the readers of YPC
Newsletter. However, the response that some our colleagues made to the
press-conference deserves discussion. I would particularly like to single
out the opinion made by some colleagues that Hamlet Ghushian must give up
journalism as such...
This categorical "sentence" raises a whole number of questions. Did the
colleagues, who tried on the judge gown, think for a second which society
has a tradition of banning the exercise of a profession? I may be answered
here that a "voluntary" retreat was meant, basing on "moral principles", and
not as a mandatory sanction. However, both the former USSR and other
gendarme states often did not need to exercise administrative intervention:
the "collegiate" communities used to start such severe persecution of its
unwanted members that deprived them of any choice. And I would hate to
become a witness of a similar situation, even if this applies to a
journalist who has committed a very strong sin in terms of professional
ethics.
One can recall here the appeal YPC and other journalistic associations made
to boycott "Or" newspaper after its vulgar and undoubtedly ordered attack on
a leading Armenian journalist (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, November 9-15,
2002). Yet, see the difference, as the saying goes: on the one side there is
the appeal on colleagues to refrain from cooperation with a newspaper that
went contrary to professional norms and continued to blackmail the peers
even after a condemnation by the journalistic community, and on the other
side there are the attacks on a person who made a public repentance several
years after his improper action.
This raises the second question. Why didn't the denouncers of today publicly
criticize Hamlet Ghushian at the time his film was aired on TV? I do not
think this is a matter of pure lack of spirit - Samvel Babayan was a
prisoner then and is now gaining weight in the political landscape of
Armenia. The reasons run deeper: they are in the tolerance of the
journalistic community towards what is happening in media, including the
ordered, paid stories and other phenomena that disgrace the profession.
Those who imply that the TV journalist is not good enough to share
profession with them are witnesses of similar "sins" of their peers from the
same editorial office nearly every day. However, these deeds fail to receive
even a friendly reprimand, to say nothing of public condemnation! In exactly
the same manner, none of the colleagues around Ghushian expressed their
indignation at the time the film was made and aired. Then, six years ago,
"Political Solitaire" was often recalled as an example of journalistic
"assassination" - a TV program that had gone on air on the eve of
presidential elections in... 1996. I am in no way trying to compare the
works or motivations that made their authors to openly speak about what had
been done after some time. Yet both had to go through "adamant", and, what
is more important, "timely" criticism!
This belated and quite selective response towards the challenges of fair
journalism resulted in a situation today when the community takes for
granted the imposing from "above" of lists of political and public figures,
allowed or disallowed to appear on air, orders of the same origin to close a
certain program, instructions of what can and what cannot be said on the
air, which events are to be covered with other - very important ones - being
neglected. Everyone is aware of this, but prefers to be patient and make no
protests. Whereas when one outdated sin is publicized, it immediately turns
into a punch bag for all our "professional integrity". The comparison with a
punch bag is also adequate because the inability or unwillingness of the
victim to hit back becomes an additional stimulus for the short-lived
"advocates of journalistic ethics".
As opinion polls show, the politicians and journalists are among the
professions that the Armenian society has the least trust in. And neither
the fervent criticism of "Orinats Yerkir" that for some reason was not made
in parliament while the party was at power nor the obstruction of the TV
journalist for six-year old film can help to restore this trust.
Boris NAVASARDIAN
"PRESS-CLUB+": DEMOCRATIC PARTY DISCUSSING KARABAGH PROBLEM AND POLITICAL
REFORM
On May 23 the ninth talk show of "Press Club+" series went on the evening
air of "Yerkir-Media" TV company.
The invitees of the program host, the Chief Editor of "Aravot" daily Aram
Abrahamian were the leaders of Democratic Party of Armenia as guests, and
NGO and media representatives as experts. The TV discussion focused on the
models of Karabagh conflict resolution and the prospects of party
enlargement, formation of a two-party political system in Armenia.
It is expected that at 21.00, May 30 (next Tuesday) the fourth "Press Club"
show will be aired by "Yerkir-Media", where representatives of media and
journalistic associations of Armenia will share their opinions on the issues
of the day.
"A1+" BID FOR GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
On May 25 the National Commission on Television and Radio announced the
results for radio broadcast licensing competitions of December 27, 2005 for
two vacant FMs in Yerevan - 90.3 and 90.7 MHz. Among the claimers for both
frequencies was "A1+" TV company founder, "Meltex" LLC. Each of the
frequencies had another bidder: "Ulis Media" LLC applied for FM 90.3 MHz and
"Radio Pro" LLC for FM 90.7 MHz. By the voting of the National Commission
members, the latter two organizations gained the right to broadcast on these
frequencies.
Thus, since being deprived of air in April 2002 and to this day "A1+" took
part in 8 broadcast licensing competitions for TV and in 4 - for radio. It
most probably can file a bid for a Guinness Book of Records - for the
biggest number of competitions "lost".
JOURNALISTIC ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND TO PUNISH THOSE GUILTY OF ATTACK ON "LORI"
TV HEAD
On May 18 Yerevan Press Club, Journalists Union of Armenia and the Committee
to Protect Freedom of Expression adopted a joint statement on the incident
that occurred in Vanadzor in early morning of May 16. As it has been
reported, on the day the car of "Lori" TV company Executive Director Narineh
Avetisian was stoned while parked by the editorial office. In the opinion of
Narineh Avetisian, the incident may be related to the talk show aired in the
evening of May 15 by "Lori", dealing with the violations during the eviction
of residents in one of the city areas (see details in YPC Weekly, May 12-18,
2006).
The statement of the three journalistic associations says:
"For the third time already during the year (in April 2005, February 2006
and on May 16, 2006) the Executive Director of "Lori" TV company (Lori
region), member of Journalists Union of Armenia Narineh Avetisian is
harassed while performing her professional duties. The indifferent stance
that the local authorities, in particular, the law enforcement bodies took
on the first two cases resulted in further violence. On May 16, 2006 the
journalist's car was stoned by unknown individuals. Several days have
passed, however, as we have learned, the investigation has made no progress.
It is hard to say whether the local law enforcement bodies are unable or
unwilling to disclose the case. May the lack of disclosure be in the
interests of the local administration, as violence each time followed the
criticism of its activities? Otherwise how can the indifference of the local
self-government bodies be explained when in their region the same journalist
is harassed for the third time during a year, and the attackers are not
found? We wish to remind the administration of Lori region and Vanadzor
that the obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of the
journalist is a criminal offence (Article 164 of the RA Criminal Code). We
demand that the law enforcement bodies make an objective investigation into
this and previous facts, punish those guilty, thus preventing further
assaults."
This statement was published by a number of newspapers, including "Azg"
daily of May 20. In its issue of May 25 "Azg" gave the response of Vanadzor
Mayor Samvel Darbinian to the statement. In the letter the Mayor noted in
particular that the stoning of the car owned by the Executive Director of
"Lori" TV "undoubtedly deserves condemnation, and the Vanadzor municipality
is just as interested to know who the author and organizer of the action
is". At the same time Samvel Darbinian expressed his indignation "over the
ungrounded attempt to blame the Vanadzor authorities for the incident",
which was perceived by the letter author to be a similar "stoning":
"Unfortunately, it has become fashionable to blame authorities for
everything. In our opinion, it makes no honor to such serious
organizations." Further on, the head of municipality quotes a piece from
regional "Loru Marz" newspaper, in which Narineh Avetisian speaks about the
absence of her personal enemies and hostility towards the TV company itself,
noting at the same time that "there are people using the occurrence and
making it a subject of political speculations, impeding the investigation".
Samvel Darbinian also admits that "Lori" TV company "is in close cooperation
with the municipality and the Mayor of Vanadzor" and "the cooperation
continues to this day". Samvel Darbinian's letter ends with a request that
the journalistic associations "should not make groundless statements and
misinform the public".
Noting that the response of the Vanadzor Mayor is published in full, "Azg"
made an editorial comment to it: "(...) Blaming of Vanadzor authorities does
not imply they are the authors of what had happened to the journalist. Our
accusation is that the authorities - not only in Vanadzor - have made the
lack of punishment so habitual, so few of such cases are disclosed, that the
assaults on journalists and media continue unobstructed." We do not have
anything else to add to the comment of "Azg" daily.
DIFFERENT VERSION OF "FIRST CHANNEL" APPEARED ON ARMENIAN TV AIR
Since May 23 in Armenia the Russian "First Channel" is being rebroadcast in
the version intended for CIS counties (the two other versions of the TV
channel are intended for America and Europe). Before that the Armenian
viewers had a chance to see "First Channel" programs as broadcast over
Russia. According to the official release of the "First Channel", the coding
of the satellite signal of its Russian version is due to "the requirements
of international legislation on copyright and the standards of the
International Broadcasting Union".
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.
0002, 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
MAY 19-25, 2006
HIGHLIGHTS:
PERSPECTIVE
WHAT IS HIDDEN BEHIND BELATEDLY REMEMBERED INTEGRITY
"PRESS-CLUB+": DEMOCRATIC PARTY DISCUSSING KARABAGH PROBLEM AND POLITICAL
REFORM
"A1+" BID FOR GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
JOURNALISTIC ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND TO PUNISH THOSE GUILTY OF ATTACK ON "LORI"
TV HEAD
DIFFERENT VERSION OF "FIRST CHANNEL" APPEARED ON ARMENIAN TV AIR
PERSPECTIVE
WHAT IS HIDDEN BEHIND BELATEDLY REMEMBERED INTEGRITY
The more immoral the environment is, the more ardor it displays in the
"revelation" of vices and "smashing" of those members that have fallen or
stumbled - and have thus stopped being dangerous. It is the case when
"moralizing" stands not for a wish to purify, but, rather, for the abuse of
moral categories together with their complete negligence. The two
developments of the past weeks called this truth to mind.
The most vivid of its confirmations were the heated "deliberations" at the
Armenian parliament over the withdrawal of "Orinats Yerkir" party from the
ruling coalition. The picture was so distressing that in order to save the
legislature from the complete public discreditation, one of the deputies
suggested that this parliamentary session be kept out of TV air...
A few days before the press-conference of TV journalist Hamlet Ghushian was
held, where he made an actual confession of having shot an ordered
documentary against the former Chief Commander of Mountainous Karabagh
Defense Army Samvel Babayan. The initiator of the press-conference made a
public apology to the hero of Karabagh war and expressed his willingness to
make a new, impartial film (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, May 12-18, 2006).
I see no sense in assessing the behavior of Hamlet Ghushian who followed the
political agenda of the time when Samvel Babayan had been sentenced for
organizing an attempted assassination of the MK President Arkadiy Ghukasian.
I think, the attitude of Yerevan Press Club towards "publicity orders" and
journalistic "assassinations" is self-evident for the readers of YPC
Newsletter. However, the response that some our colleagues made to the
press-conference deserves discussion. I would particularly like to single
out the opinion made by some colleagues that Hamlet Ghushian must give up
journalism as such...
This categorical "sentence" raises a whole number of questions. Did the
colleagues, who tried on the judge gown, think for a second which society
has a tradition of banning the exercise of a profession? I may be answered
here that a "voluntary" retreat was meant, basing on "moral principles", and
not as a mandatory sanction. However, both the former USSR and other
gendarme states often did not need to exercise administrative intervention:
the "collegiate" communities used to start such severe persecution of its
unwanted members that deprived them of any choice. And I would hate to
become a witness of a similar situation, even if this applies to a
journalist who has committed a very strong sin in terms of professional
ethics.
One can recall here the appeal YPC and other journalistic associations made
to boycott "Or" newspaper after its vulgar and undoubtedly ordered attack on
a leading Armenian journalist (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, November 9-15,
2002). Yet, see the difference, as the saying goes: on the one side there is
the appeal on colleagues to refrain from cooperation with a newspaper that
went contrary to professional norms and continued to blackmail the peers
even after a condemnation by the journalistic community, and on the other
side there are the attacks on a person who made a public repentance several
years after his improper action.
This raises the second question. Why didn't the denouncers of today publicly
criticize Hamlet Ghushian at the time his film was aired on TV? I do not
think this is a matter of pure lack of spirit - Samvel Babayan was a
prisoner then and is now gaining weight in the political landscape of
Armenia. The reasons run deeper: they are in the tolerance of the
journalistic community towards what is happening in media, including the
ordered, paid stories and other phenomena that disgrace the profession.
Those who imply that the TV journalist is not good enough to share
profession with them are witnesses of similar "sins" of their peers from the
same editorial office nearly every day. However, these deeds fail to receive
even a friendly reprimand, to say nothing of public condemnation! In exactly
the same manner, none of the colleagues around Ghushian expressed their
indignation at the time the film was made and aired. Then, six years ago,
"Political Solitaire" was often recalled as an example of journalistic
"assassination" - a TV program that had gone on air on the eve of
presidential elections in... 1996. I am in no way trying to compare the
works or motivations that made their authors to openly speak about what had
been done after some time. Yet both had to go through "adamant", and, what
is more important, "timely" criticism!
This belated and quite selective response towards the challenges of fair
journalism resulted in a situation today when the community takes for
granted the imposing from "above" of lists of political and public figures,
allowed or disallowed to appear on air, orders of the same origin to close a
certain program, instructions of what can and what cannot be said on the
air, which events are to be covered with other - very important ones - being
neglected. Everyone is aware of this, but prefers to be patient and make no
protests. Whereas when one outdated sin is publicized, it immediately turns
into a punch bag for all our "professional integrity". The comparison with a
punch bag is also adequate because the inability or unwillingness of the
victim to hit back becomes an additional stimulus for the short-lived
"advocates of journalistic ethics".
As opinion polls show, the politicians and journalists are among the
professions that the Armenian society has the least trust in. And neither
the fervent criticism of "Orinats Yerkir" that for some reason was not made
in parliament while the party was at power nor the obstruction of the TV
journalist for six-year old film can help to restore this trust.
Boris NAVASARDIAN
"PRESS-CLUB+": DEMOCRATIC PARTY DISCUSSING KARABAGH PROBLEM AND POLITICAL
REFORM
On May 23 the ninth talk show of "Press Club+" series went on the evening
air of "Yerkir-Media" TV company.
The invitees of the program host, the Chief Editor of "Aravot" daily Aram
Abrahamian were the leaders of Democratic Party of Armenia as guests, and
NGO and media representatives as experts. The TV discussion focused on the
models of Karabagh conflict resolution and the prospects of party
enlargement, formation of a two-party political system in Armenia.
It is expected that at 21.00, May 30 (next Tuesday) the fourth "Press Club"
show will be aired by "Yerkir-Media", where representatives of media and
journalistic associations of Armenia will share their opinions on the issues
of the day.
"A1+" BID FOR GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
On May 25 the National Commission on Television and Radio announced the
results for radio broadcast licensing competitions of December 27, 2005 for
two vacant FMs in Yerevan - 90.3 and 90.7 MHz. Among the claimers for both
frequencies was "A1+" TV company founder, "Meltex" LLC. Each of the
frequencies had another bidder: "Ulis Media" LLC applied for FM 90.3 MHz and
"Radio Pro" LLC for FM 90.7 MHz. By the voting of the National Commission
members, the latter two organizations gained the right to broadcast on these
frequencies.
Thus, since being deprived of air in April 2002 and to this day "A1+" took
part in 8 broadcast licensing competitions for TV and in 4 - for radio. It
most probably can file a bid for a Guinness Book of Records - for the
biggest number of competitions "lost".
JOURNALISTIC ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND TO PUNISH THOSE GUILTY OF ATTACK ON "LORI"
TV HEAD
On May 18 Yerevan Press Club, Journalists Union of Armenia and the Committee
to Protect Freedom of Expression adopted a joint statement on the incident
that occurred in Vanadzor in early morning of May 16. As it has been
reported, on the day the car of "Lori" TV company Executive Director Narineh
Avetisian was stoned while parked by the editorial office. In the opinion of
Narineh Avetisian, the incident may be related to the talk show aired in the
evening of May 15 by "Lori", dealing with the violations during the eviction
of residents in one of the city areas (see details in YPC Weekly, May 12-18,
2006).
The statement of the three journalistic associations says:
"For the third time already during the year (in April 2005, February 2006
and on May 16, 2006) the Executive Director of "Lori" TV company (Lori
region), member of Journalists Union of Armenia Narineh Avetisian is
harassed while performing her professional duties. The indifferent stance
that the local authorities, in particular, the law enforcement bodies took
on the first two cases resulted in further violence. On May 16, 2006 the
journalist's car was stoned by unknown individuals. Several days have
passed, however, as we have learned, the investigation has made no progress.
It is hard to say whether the local law enforcement bodies are unable or
unwilling to disclose the case. May the lack of disclosure be in the
interests of the local administration, as violence each time followed the
criticism of its activities? Otherwise how can the indifference of the local
self-government bodies be explained when in their region the same journalist
is harassed for the third time during a year, and the attackers are not
found? We wish to remind the administration of Lori region and Vanadzor
that the obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of the
journalist is a criminal offence (Article 164 of the RA Criminal Code). We
demand that the law enforcement bodies make an objective investigation into
this and previous facts, punish those guilty, thus preventing further
assaults."
This statement was published by a number of newspapers, including "Azg"
daily of May 20. In its issue of May 25 "Azg" gave the response of Vanadzor
Mayor Samvel Darbinian to the statement. In the letter the Mayor noted in
particular that the stoning of the car owned by the Executive Director of
"Lori" TV "undoubtedly deserves condemnation, and the Vanadzor municipality
is just as interested to know who the author and organizer of the action
is". At the same time Samvel Darbinian expressed his indignation "over the
ungrounded attempt to blame the Vanadzor authorities for the incident",
which was perceived by the letter author to be a similar "stoning":
"Unfortunately, it has become fashionable to blame authorities for
everything. In our opinion, it makes no honor to such serious
organizations." Further on, the head of municipality quotes a piece from
regional "Loru Marz" newspaper, in which Narineh Avetisian speaks about the
absence of her personal enemies and hostility towards the TV company itself,
noting at the same time that "there are people using the occurrence and
making it a subject of political speculations, impeding the investigation".
Samvel Darbinian also admits that "Lori" TV company "is in close cooperation
with the municipality and the Mayor of Vanadzor" and "the cooperation
continues to this day". Samvel Darbinian's letter ends with a request that
the journalistic associations "should not make groundless statements and
misinform the public".
Noting that the response of the Vanadzor Mayor is published in full, "Azg"
made an editorial comment to it: "(...) Blaming of Vanadzor authorities does
not imply they are the authors of what had happened to the journalist. Our
accusation is that the authorities - not only in Vanadzor - have made the
lack of punishment so habitual, so few of such cases are disclosed, that the
assaults on journalists and media continue unobstructed." We do not have
anything else to add to the comment of "Azg" daily.
DIFFERENT VERSION OF "FIRST CHANNEL" APPEARED ON ARMENIAN TV AIR
Since May 23 in Armenia the Russian "First Channel" is being rebroadcast in
the version intended for CIS counties (the two other versions of the TV
channel are intended for America and Europe). Before that the Armenian
viewers had a chance to see "First Channel" programs as broadcast over
Russia. According to the official release of the "First Channel", the coding
of the satellite signal of its Russian version is due to "the requirements
of international legislation on copyright and the standards of the
International Broadcasting Union".
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.
0002, 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