Tweet
From: YPC <[email protected]>
Subject: Yerevan Press Club Weekly Newsletter - 11/13/2008
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 7-13, 2008
HIGHLIGHTS:
"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": AUTHORITIES-MEDIA RELATIONS AND ELECTIONS
LEGISLATION
"á1+" RECEIVES MONETARY COMPENSATION BUT STILL REMAINS OFF AIR
THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A CENTER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND
INFORMATION
"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": AUTHORITIES-MEDIA RELATIONS AND ELECTIONS
LEGISLATION
On November 12 another show of "Press Club" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Open Society Institute Human Rights and Governance Grants Program. The
guests of the President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
Ashot Melikian were Chief Editor of "Azg" daily Hakob Avedikian, Director of
Freedom of Information Center Shushan Doydoyan and President of Armenian PR
Association Are Saghatelian. Problems of freedom of information and
relationship between media and authorities were discussed.
The next program of "Press Club" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, November 19, at 23.00.
On November 8 another show of "Press Club+" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media". It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the Embassy of
Great Britain in Armenia. President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression Ashot Melikian and "Press Club+" participants, President of "This
is Your Choice" NGO Harutyun Hambartsumian and Vice-President of the
Association of Community Financiers David Tumanian discussed the legislation
on elections to the local self-government bodies. The audience composed of
representatives of media of Kotayk and Armavir regions also participated in
the talk-show.
The next program of "Press Club+" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, November 15, at 17.40.
"á1+" RECEIVES MONETARY COMPENSATION BUT STILL REMAINS OFF AIR
On November 6 the government of Armenia made a decree to allocate to the RA
Ministry of Justice 30,000 euros to fulfill the judgment of the European
Court of Human Rights (released on June 17, 2008) on the case of the founder
of "A1+" TV company, "Meltex" LLC, and its President Mesrop Movsesian versus
Republic of Armenia. The ECHR recognized that in regard to "A1+" there was a
violation of the right of the applicant to freely impart information and
ideas stipulated by Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms ("Freedom of Expression"). Thus, the failure to
grant a broadcast license to "A1+", taking part in numerous competitions
since 2002, was recognized to be a violation of international commitments by
Armenia. The ECHR committed the Republic of Armenia to paying "Meltex" LLC
30,000 euros within three months after the enforcement of the judgment: 20
thousand in respect of non-pecuniary damage and 10 thousand in respect of
costs and expenses incurred.
In the statement, released by Yerevan Press Club on June 18, 2008, there was
an appeal to "the competent bodies of RA not to confine to the monetary
compensation, stipulated by the ruling of the European Court, but to adopt,
in accordance with the legislation of the country, prompt measures to enable
the TV company to come back on air as soon as possible".
On June 18 the Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis characterized
the decision of the European Court on "A1+" case as "a victory for freedom
of expression" called "to serve as a lesson to all governments inclined to
arbitrary interpretations of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights, which guarantees this essential freedom". "The decision of the
European Court of Human Rights brings an end to the long drawn-out saga
about the refusal of the Armenian authorities to award a broadcasting
license to the "A1+" television station", stressed Terry Davis (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, June 13-19, 2008).
Resolution 1620, approved by Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
on June 25, 2008, stressed the necessity of "a pluralistic electronic media
environment in Armenia" and called upon the National Commission on
Television and Radio to "ensure an open, fair and transparent licensing
procedure, in line with the guidelines, adopted by the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe on March 26, 2008, and with the case law
of the European Court of Human Rights" (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, June
20-26, 2008).
Meanwhile, on September 10, 2008, RA National Assembly in an extraordinary
regime adopted the addition to the RA Law "On Television and Radio",
according to which broadcast licensing competitions are suspended till July
20, 2010, connected with expected digitalization in Armenia. The addition
drafted by the RA Government was evaluated by a number of journalistic
associations as "another proof that its initiatives in media domain are
aimed not at ensuring the constitutional right to free receipt and
dissemination of information, not at the improvement of the domain, not at
the implementation of the commitments to the Council of Europe and
recommendations of PACE resolutions, but at retaining and strengthening the
total control over broadcasters, currently practiced" (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 5-11, 2008).
On September 26, on the eve of moratorium on broadcast licensing coming into
force, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti asked
the Government of Armenia to review the adopted decision meaning that
Armenia will not be able to comply with the decision of the European Court
that upheld the case of "A1+". OSCE Representative also reminded that in
April 2008 the PACE, in its turn, also urged Armenia to "ensure an open,
fair and transparent licensing procedure" and allow "A1+" to apply for a new
license (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 26 - October 2, 2008). On
October 6 the Global Campaign for Free Expression "Article 19" made a
similar address (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, October 3-9, 2008).
No one responded to these appeals: licensing competitions are suspended for
two years. "á1+" is getting the monetary compensation, but is still kept off
air. The optimistic forecast of the CE Secretary General is not coming true
yet: the saga goes on...
THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A CENTER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND
INFORMATION
On November 6 RA Government decided to establish a Center of Public
Relations and Information. According to the information on the governmental
web-site (www.gov.am), the Center is being established in accordance to the
RA Law "On State Non-Commercial Organizations" with the aim of "conducting
research in public relations, transparency of state structures,
accessibility, gathering and imparting information"; "realizing general and
thematic monitoring and media analyses, research and monitoring of media
market"; "studying the international experience in the sphere of public
relations and information"; "proposing initiatives, connected with the
legislative regulation of media activities". According to the Government
resolution, managing the Center and other authorities are put on the
administration of the President of Armenia. RA Ministry of Finance is
directed to introduce its offers on the financing of the Center in a month's
period, and the Department of the State Property at the RA Government should
introduce "the list and pricing of the property that is supposed to be
handed in and/or assigned" to the new organization for approval.
Decision to establish a Center of Public Relations and Information arose
concern on behalf of a part of journalistic society that assumes that this
state institution can become an instrument for censorship and pressure on
media.
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
Subject: Yerevan Press Club Weekly Newsletter - 11/13/2008
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 7-13, 2008
HIGHLIGHTS:
"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": AUTHORITIES-MEDIA RELATIONS AND ELECTIONS
LEGISLATION
"á1+" RECEIVES MONETARY COMPENSATION BUT STILL REMAINS OFF AIR
THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A CENTER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND
INFORMATION
"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": AUTHORITIES-MEDIA RELATIONS AND ELECTIONS
LEGISLATION
On November 12 another show of "Press Club" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Open Society Institute Human Rights and Governance Grants Program. The
guests of the President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
Ashot Melikian were Chief Editor of "Azg" daily Hakob Avedikian, Director of
Freedom of Information Center Shushan Doydoyan and President of Armenian PR
Association Are Saghatelian. Problems of freedom of information and
relationship between media and authorities were discussed.
The next program of "Press Club" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, November 19, at 23.00.
On November 8 another show of "Press Club+" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media". It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the Embassy of
Great Britain in Armenia. President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression Ashot Melikian and "Press Club+" participants, President of "This
is Your Choice" NGO Harutyun Hambartsumian and Vice-President of the
Association of Community Financiers David Tumanian discussed the legislation
on elections to the local self-government bodies. The audience composed of
representatives of media of Kotayk and Armavir regions also participated in
the talk-show.
The next program of "Press Club+" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, November 15, at 17.40.
"á1+" RECEIVES MONETARY COMPENSATION BUT STILL REMAINS OFF AIR
On November 6 the government of Armenia made a decree to allocate to the RA
Ministry of Justice 30,000 euros to fulfill the judgment of the European
Court of Human Rights (released on June 17, 2008) on the case of the founder
of "A1+" TV company, "Meltex" LLC, and its President Mesrop Movsesian versus
Republic of Armenia. The ECHR recognized that in regard to "A1+" there was a
violation of the right of the applicant to freely impart information and
ideas stipulated by Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms ("Freedom of Expression"). Thus, the failure to
grant a broadcast license to "A1+", taking part in numerous competitions
since 2002, was recognized to be a violation of international commitments by
Armenia. The ECHR committed the Republic of Armenia to paying "Meltex" LLC
30,000 euros within three months after the enforcement of the judgment: 20
thousand in respect of non-pecuniary damage and 10 thousand in respect of
costs and expenses incurred.
In the statement, released by Yerevan Press Club on June 18, 2008, there was
an appeal to "the competent bodies of RA not to confine to the monetary
compensation, stipulated by the ruling of the European Court, but to adopt,
in accordance with the legislation of the country, prompt measures to enable
the TV company to come back on air as soon as possible".
On June 18 the Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis characterized
the decision of the European Court on "A1+" case as "a victory for freedom
of expression" called "to serve as a lesson to all governments inclined to
arbitrary interpretations of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights, which guarantees this essential freedom". "The decision of the
European Court of Human Rights brings an end to the long drawn-out saga
about the refusal of the Armenian authorities to award a broadcasting
license to the "A1+" television station", stressed Terry Davis (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, June 13-19, 2008).
Resolution 1620, approved by Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
on June 25, 2008, stressed the necessity of "a pluralistic electronic media
environment in Armenia" and called upon the National Commission on
Television and Radio to "ensure an open, fair and transparent licensing
procedure, in line with the guidelines, adopted by the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe on March 26, 2008, and with the case law
of the European Court of Human Rights" (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, June
20-26, 2008).
Meanwhile, on September 10, 2008, RA National Assembly in an extraordinary
regime adopted the addition to the RA Law "On Television and Radio",
according to which broadcast licensing competitions are suspended till July
20, 2010, connected with expected digitalization in Armenia. The addition
drafted by the RA Government was evaluated by a number of journalistic
associations as "another proof that its initiatives in media domain are
aimed not at ensuring the constitutional right to free receipt and
dissemination of information, not at the improvement of the domain, not at
the implementation of the commitments to the Council of Europe and
recommendations of PACE resolutions, but at retaining and strengthening the
total control over broadcasters, currently practiced" (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 5-11, 2008).
On September 26, on the eve of moratorium on broadcast licensing coming into
force, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti asked
the Government of Armenia to review the adopted decision meaning that
Armenia will not be able to comply with the decision of the European Court
that upheld the case of "A1+". OSCE Representative also reminded that in
April 2008 the PACE, in its turn, also urged Armenia to "ensure an open,
fair and transparent licensing procedure" and allow "A1+" to apply for a new
license (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 26 - October 2, 2008). On
October 6 the Global Campaign for Free Expression "Article 19" made a
similar address (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, October 3-9, 2008).
No one responded to these appeals: licensing competitions are suspended for
two years. "á1+" is getting the monetary compensation, but is still kept off
air. The optimistic forecast of the CE Secretary General is not coming true
yet: the saga goes on...
THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A CENTER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND
INFORMATION
On November 6 RA Government decided to establish a Center of Public
Relations and Information. According to the information on the governmental
web-site (www.gov.am), the Center is being established in accordance to the
RA Law "On State Non-Commercial Organizations" with the aim of "conducting
research in public relations, transparency of state structures,
accessibility, gathering and imparting information"; "realizing general and
thematic monitoring and media analyses, research and monitoring of media
market"; "studying the international experience in the sphere of public
relations and information"; "proposing initiatives, connected with the
legislative regulation of media activities". According to the Government
resolution, managing the Center and other authorities are put on the
administration of the President of Armenia. RA Ministry of Finance is
directed to introduce its offers on the financing of the Center in a month's
period, and the Department of the State Property at the RA Government should
introduce "the list and pricing of the property that is supposed to be
handed in and/or assigned" to the new organization for approval.
Decision to establish a Center of Public Relations and Information arose
concern on behalf of a part of journalistic society that assumes that this
state institution can become an instrument for censorship and pressure on
media.
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