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YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 14-21, 2010
HIGHLIGHTS:
"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE RESUMED ON THE AIR OF "YERKIR MEDIA"
EU-ARMENIA: THE PRESENT AND PERSPECTIVES
CHIEF EDITOR OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT
INCIDENTS WITH JOURNALISTS AT THE PRECINCT 10/19
REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS
OF JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA RELEASED
"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE RESUMED ON THE AIR OF "YERKIR MEDIA"
Since January 19, 2010 the "Press Club" show was resumed on the air of
"Yerkir Media" TV company. The cycle is produced under Yerevan Press Club
project, supported by the Open Society Institute. On Tuesdays, the "Press
Club" participants - representatives of state structures, political parties,
NGOs and media - will be discussing the establishment of democratic
institutions in Armenia.
On January 19, the guests of the program host, YPC President Boris
Navasardian were Artsvik Minasian, Deputy of RA National Assembly from
"Dashnaktsutiun" faction, Hovhannes Hovhannisian, Chairman of Liberal Party
of Armenia, and politologist Yervand Bozoyan. The discussion centered on the
role of the opposition in the implementation of democratic reforms in
Armenia.
The next "Press Club" show will be aired on "Yerkir Media" on January 26, at
21.15.
EU-ARMENIA: THE PRESENT AND PERSPECTIVES
On December 27-29, 2009 the seminar "EU-Armenia: The Present and
Perspectives" was held in Aghveran. The event was organized by Yerevan Press
Club with the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The seminar was
attended by representatives of media, NGOs and journalistic associations.
The presentation of Viktor Yengibarian, President of the "European Movement
in Armenia" NGO, dealt with the Eastern Partnership initiative as a new step
in the EU-Armenia cooperation. In his speech, Gevorg Ter-Gabrielian, Country
Director of Eurasia Partnership Foundation, addressed the role of civil
society in the Euro integration process. Stepan Grigorian, Head of
Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation, presented the
Euro integration in the frames of the political developments in the country.
The participation of Armenia in the thematic platforms of Eastern
Partnership was discussed by YPC President Boris Navasardian. Manana
Aslamazian, Executive Director of Internews Europe, spoke about the role of
European institutions in enhancing the freedom of speech. Anna Israelian,
observer of "Aravot" daily, told about the European Neighbourhood Journalism
Network project, administered by Thomson Foundation in cooperation with the
European Journalism Centre, the International Federation of Journalists and
a number of other professional organizations.
CHIEF EDITOR OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT
On January 19, 2010 court of general jurisdiction of Shengavit community of
Yerevan released the judgment on the case of Nikol Pashinian, Chief Editor
of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily, charged with Part 1 of Article 225 ("Mass
riots") and Part 1 of Article 316 ("Violence against a representative of
power") of RA Criminal Code. As it has been reported, Nikol Pashinian was
announced wanted within the criminal proceedings, instituted on the events
of March 1, 2008 in Yerevan. On July 1, 2009 he voluntarily surrendered to
RA Procuracy. The court hearings on this case started on October 20, 2009
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, October 16-22, 2009).
According to the judgment, the charges of Nikol Pashinian for violence
against a representative of power (Article 316 of RA Criminal Code) were
dismissed, but he was found guilty in mass riots (Article 225) and was
sentenced to seven years of imprisonment.
Lusine Sahakian, the lawyer of Nikol Pashinian, announced about the
intention of appealing the judgment to the higher court jurisdiction.
INCIDENTS WITH JOURNALISTS AT THE PRECINCT 10/19
On January 10, 2010, on the day of elections to the vacancy formed in the RA
National Assembly, at the electoral district 10 of Yerevan cases of impeding
journalistic activities were registered. At the precinct 10/19 an incident
occurred between the representatives of one of the candidates for deputy and
free lance journalist Gagik Shamshian, and Anush Martirosian, correspondent
of Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. According to Gagik
Shamshian, some young men coarsely prohibited the journalists from shooting
and interviewing. As Gagik Shamshian noted, after a verbal skirmish they
were forced out from the polling station. At the same time Gagik Shamshian
was given blows and the microphone of Anush Martirosian was broken. Later,
on that day the same people forced Hayk Gevorgian, observer of "Haykakan
Zhamanak" daily, and Gohar Vezirian, correspondent of "Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun" newspaper, out of the polling station.
According to the RA Procuracy's official report of January 13, materials on
the violations are transferred to RA Special Investigative Service for
instituting criminal proceedings and holding an investigation. The materials
were prepared on the basis of media communications on violations at the
precinct 10/19 on January 10.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS
OF JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA RELEASED
On January 19, 2010 at "Urbat" club of Yerevan the presentation of the
annual report of Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression on violations of
rights of journalists and media in Armenia, in 2009 was held. As the report
states, 11 cases of assaults against journalists, 14 cases of exerting
pressure on media and their representatives, and 13 cases of violation of
right to receive and impart information took place in 2009. "Overall, in
2009 fewer violations of rights of journalists and media were registered
than in 2008. Nevertheless, the situation in whole and the trends cannot but
raise concern. As the statistics indicate (...), even during a relatively
smooth year quite a high level of violations of rights of journalists and
media was observed in the country", the report notes. At the same time, by
the intensity of attacks against the freedom of speech last year was divided
in two stages: in the first half the same negative trends as in 2008 were
detected, the second stage was the period of a relative lull.
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
JANUARY 14-21, 2010
HIGHLIGHTS:
"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE RESUMED ON THE AIR OF "YERKIR MEDIA"
EU-ARMENIA: THE PRESENT AND PERSPECTIVES
CHIEF EDITOR OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT
INCIDENTS WITH JOURNALISTS AT THE PRECINCT 10/19
REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS
OF JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA RELEASED
"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE RESUMED ON THE AIR OF "YERKIR MEDIA"
Since January 19, 2010 the "Press Club" show was resumed on the air of
"Yerkir Media" TV company. The cycle is produced under Yerevan Press Club
project, supported by the Open Society Institute. On Tuesdays, the "Press
Club" participants - representatives of state structures, political parties,
NGOs and media - will be discussing the establishment of democratic
institutions in Armenia.
On January 19, the guests of the program host, YPC President Boris
Navasardian were Artsvik Minasian, Deputy of RA National Assembly from
"Dashnaktsutiun" faction, Hovhannes Hovhannisian, Chairman of Liberal Party
of Armenia, and politologist Yervand Bozoyan. The discussion centered on the
role of the opposition in the implementation of democratic reforms in
Armenia.
The next "Press Club" show will be aired on "Yerkir Media" on January 26, at
21.15.
EU-ARMENIA: THE PRESENT AND PERSPECTIVES
On December 27-29, 2009 the seminar "EU-Armenia: The Present and
Perspectives" was held in Aghveran. The event was organized by Yerevan Press
Club with the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The seminar was
attended by representatives of media, NGOs and journalistic associations.
The presentation of Viktor Yengibarian, President of the "European Movement
in Armenia" NGO, dealt with the Eastern Partnership initiative as a new step
in the EU-Armenia cooperation. In his speech, Gevorg Ter-Gabrielian, Country
Director of Eurasia Partnership Foundation, addressed the role of civil
society in the Euro integration process. Stepan Grigorian, Head of
Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation, presented the
Euro integration in the frames of the political developments in the country.
The participation of Armenia in the thematic platforms of Eastern
Partnership was discussed by YPC President Boris Navasardian. Manana
Aslamazian, Executive Director of Internews Europe, spoke about the role of
European institutions in enhancing the freedom of speech. Anna Israelian,
observer of "Aravot" daily, told about the European Neighbourhood Journalism
Network project, administered by Thomson Foundation in cooperation with the
European Journalism Centre, the International Federation of Journalists and
a number of other professional organizations.
CHIEF EDITOR OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT
On January 19, 2010 court of general jurisdiction of Shengavit community of
Yerevan released the judgment on the case of Nikol Pashinian, Chief Editor
of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily, charged with Part 1 of Article 225 ("Mass
riots") and Part 1 of Article 316 ("Violence against a representative of
power") of RA Criminal Code. As it has been reported, Nikol Pashinian was
announced wanted within the criminal proceedings, instituted on the events
of March 1, 2008 in Yerevan. On July 1, 2009 he voluntarily surrendered to
RA Procuracy. The court hearings on this case started on October 20, 2009
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, October 16-22, 2009).
According to the judgment, the charges of Nikol Pashinian for violence
against a representative of power (Article 316 of RA Criminal Code) were
dismissed, but he was found guilty in mass riots (Article 225) and was
sentenced to seven years of imprisonment.
Lusine Sahakian, the lawyer of Nikol Pashinian, announced about the
intention of appealing the judgment to the higher court jurisdiction.
INCIDENTS WITH JOURNALISTS AT THE PRECINCT 10/19
On January 10, 2010, on the day of elections to the vacancy formed in the RA
National Assembly, at the electoral district 10 of Yerevan cases of impeding
journalistic activities were registered. At the precinct 10/19 an incident
occurred between the representatives of one of the candidates for deputy and
free lance journalist Gagik Shamshian, and Anush Martirosian, correspondent
of Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. According to Gagik
Shamshian, some young men coarsely prohibited the journalists from shooting
and interviewing. As Gagik Shamshian noted, after a verbal skirmish they
were forced out from the polling station. At the same time Gagik Shamshian
was given blows and the microphone of Anush Martirosian was broken. Later,
on that day the same people forced Hayk Gevorgian, observer of "Haykakan
Zhamanak" daily, and Gohar Vezirian, correspondent of "Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun" newspaper, out of the polling station.
According to the RA Procuracy's official report of January 13, materials on
the violations are transferred to RA Special Investigative Service for
instituting criminal proceedings and holding an investigation. The materials
were prepared on the basis of media communications on violations at the
precinct 10/19 on January 10.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS
OF JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA RELEASED
On January 19, 2010 at "Urbat" club of Yerevan the presentation of the
annual report of Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression on violations of
rights of journalists and media in Armenia, in 2009 was held. As the report
states, 11 cases of assaults against journalists, 14 cases of exerting
pressure on media and their representatives, and 13 cases of violation of
right to receive and impart information took place in 2009. "Overall, in
2009 fewer violations of rights of journalists and media were registered
than in 2008. Nevertheless, the situation in whole and the trends cannot but
raise concern. As the statistics indicate (...), even during a relatively
smooth year quite a high level of violations of rights of journalists and
media was observed in the country", the report notes. At the same time, by
the intensity of attacks against the freedom of speech last year was divided
in two stages: in the first half the same negative trends as in 2008 were
detected, the second stage was the period of a relative lull.
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