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ODIHR SAYS MEDIA COVERAGE OF ARMENIAN CANDIDATES DISPROPORTIONATE
Russia & CIS General Newswire
January 31, 2008 Thursday 4:59 PM MSK
The election observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has called the media coverage
of the activity of presidential candidates disproportionate.
Three out of seven television channels were focused on Republican
Party candidate, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, says a report posted
in Yerevan on Thursday.
"The amount of time received by Mr. Sargsyan, on privately owned H2,
Kentron, Shant and Armenia TV, even taking into account the execution
of his official duties, exceeded what could be reasonably considered
appropriate," the report said.
"However, in contrast to the almost exclusively positive or neutral
coverage afforded to Serzh Sargsyan, Levon Ter-Petrossian was regularly
portrayed in a negative light. On two TV channels, H2 and ALM, the
volume of 'negative' coverage of Levon Ter-Petrossian exceed the
combined amount of 'positive' and 'neutral' coverage," the report said.
"The radio stations monitored by the OSHR EOM presented Serzh Sargsyan
more frequently as a candidate than in his official role.
The monitoring results (11-20 January) reveal that Public Radio
was, in general, more balanced in the amount of time allocated
to the prospective candidates than TV channels. The broadcasts of
RFE included greater diversity in their coverage of the nominees,
including presenting Serzh Sargsyan and Levon Ter-Petrossian in
positive, negative and neutral tones," the report said.
The delegation started working in Armenia on January 15. Armenia will
hold the election on February 19.
Russia & CIS General Newswire
January 31, 2008 Thursday 4:59 PM MSK
The election observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has called the media coverage
of the activity of presidential candidates disproportionate.
Three out of seven television channels were focused on Republican
Party candidate, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, says a report posted
in Yerevan on Thursday.
"The amount of time received by Mr. Sargsyan, on privately owned H2,
Kentron, Shant and Armenia TV, even taking into account the execution
of his official duties, exceeded what could be reasonably considered
appropriate," the report said.
"However, in contrast to the almost exclusively positive or neutral
coverage afforded to Serzh Sargsyan, Levon Ter-Petrossian was regularly
portrayed in a negative light. On two TV channels, H2 and ALM, the
volume of 'negative' coverage of Levon Ter-Petrossian exceed the
combined amount of 'positive' and 'neutral' coverage," the report said.
"The radio stations monitored by the OSHR EOM presented Serzh Sargsyan
more frequently as a candidate than in his official role.
The monitoring results (11-20 January) reveal that Public Radio
was, in general, more balanced in the amount of time allocated
to the prospective candidates than TV channels. The broadcasts of
RFE included greater diversity in their coverage of the nominees,
including presenting Serzh Sargsyan and Levon Ter-Petrossian in
positive, negative and neutral tones," the report said.
The delegation started working in Armenia on January 15. Armenia will
hold the election on February 19.