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OSCE OFFICE IN YEREVAN ENCOURAGES SENSITIVE REPORTING ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES
States News Service
August 5, 2011 Friday
The following information was released by the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):
A three-day OSCE-supported workshop for Armenian journalists on
national legislation and international human rights standards on
freedom of religion or belief began today in Tsakhkadzor.
The event is organized by the Collaboration for Democracy Centre
with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan for 20 journalists
and follows a similar workshop held on 22-24 July for 20 students.
"Journalists are accountable for the social and political consequences
of their actions and have a duty to maintain the highest ethical and
professional standards. In this respect, we encourage the media to
be responsible and avoid discriminatory and defamatory references to
beliefs, religious communities and spiritual values," said Vladimir
Tchountoulov, Human Rights Officer of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
"We believe that this training will help the Armenian media to broaden
their understanding of the issue and improve their reporting style
by showing more respect and sensitivity to different groups," he added.
Workshop participants will discuss how to strike an appropriate
balance between the freedom of expression and the freedom of religion
or belief. The course will use examples from the case-law of the
European Court of Human Rights.
Sona Harutyunyan, a journalist from "Hraparak" newspaper, who
participated in the event said it "helped to break the stereotypes that
we currently have. A new view point was introduced, which was very
useful for us, the journalists. The seminar gave us an opportunity
to be more impartial and objective in our future work, when writing
about religious matters."
The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights together
with the Venice Commission provided two joint opinions on the new
draft Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations in 2009
and in 2010. A new package, including a draft law and amendments to
other relevant legislation, is currently being developed which will
be discussed this month at a roundtable organized jointly by the
Armenian Ministry of Justice and the OSCE Office.
States News Service
August 5, 2011 Friday
The following information was released by the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):
A three-day OSCE-supported workshop for Armenian journalists on
national legislation and international human rights standards on
freedom of religion or belief began today in Tsakhkadzor.
The event is organized by the Collaboration for Democracy Centre
with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan for 20 journalists
and follows a similar workshop held on 22-24 July for 20 students.
"Journalists are accountable for the social and political consequences
of their actions and have a duty to maintain the highest ethical and
professional standards. In this respect, we encourage the media to
be responsible and avoid discriminatory and defamatory references to
beliefs, religious communities and spiritual values," said Vladimir
Tchountoulov, Human Rights Officer of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
"We believe that this training will help the Armenian media to broaden
their understanding of the issue and improve their reporting style
by showing more respect and sensitivity to different groups," he added.
Workshop participants will discuss how to strike an appropriate
balance between the freedom of expression and the freedom of religion
or belief. The course will use examples from the case-law of the
European Court of Human Rights.
Sona Harutyunyan, a journalist from "Hraparak" newspaper, who
participated in the event said it "helped to break the stereotypes that
we currently have. A new view point was introduced, which was very
useful for us, the journalists. The seminar gave us an opportunity
to be more impartial and objective in our future work, when writing
about religious matters."
The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights together
with the Venice Commission provided two joint opinions on the new
draft Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations in 2009
and in 2010. A new package, including a draft law and amendments to
other relevant legislation, is currently being developed which will
be discussed this month at a roundtable organized jointly by the
Armenian Ministry of Justice and the OSCE Office.