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LOCAL MEDIA WATCHDOG REPORTS INCREASED PRESSURE, VIOLATIONS AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN Q2
[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]
http://www.armenianow.com/society/47789/armenia_freedom_of_speech_media_jour
nalists_report
SOCIETY | 18.07.13 | 11:20
Photolure
Ashot Melikyan
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression (CPFE) states that
pressures and violations against media and journalists in Armenia
increased in the second quarter of this year.
The data summarized in the CPFE's report for the period in question
(April-June) confirm the trend.
The report also covers the May 5 municipal elections in Yerevan and
the period of electioneering preceding the vote. Violations against
media and journalists in Armenia tend to increase during elections.
"More cases of physical violence were registered during this quarter
as compared to the previous three-month period. The same can be said
about pressures. As many as 21 such cases were recorded, of which
eight were during the elections, while one instance of physical
violence against a journalist was registered during the campaign. In
general, an increase of pressure was registered as compared to last
year. Violations of the rights of media and journalists have noticeably
increased," said CPFE Chairman Ashot Melikyan.
According to the report, four cases of physical violence were reported
against journalists in the second quarter of 2013, which is by one
more than during the same period in 2012. The number of instances of
pressure on media during the period in question reached 21, which is
by 11 cases more than during the corresponding period last year. Eight
of the incidents of this nature took place on the day of the Yerevan
municipal elections, on May 5, and seven were the result of new trials
based on libel suits against media (including as third parties). The
other six were different types of pressure. As for violations related
to receiving and disseminating information, the Committee registered
three such cases during Q2 of this year as compared to 10 during the
comparable period in 2012.
Melikyan stressed, however, that journalists were able to do their
job during the elections and present to the public an objective
picture with comprehensive information. The CPFE head also noted
that as compared to the previous reviewable periods the police have
been more active in responding to violations against journalists,
but he added that there is still a lot to do in this regard.
According to the latest edition of the annual World Press Freedom
report of the international human rights watchdog, Freedom House,
Armenia, which has been ranked among 'Not Free' countries since 2002,
is now only one point short of being upgraded to 'Partly Free'. In
the report covering last year certain progress was made by Armenia
due to positive assessments of 2012 parliamentary election coverage,
decreased violence against journalists and media as well as fewer
libel suits against them.
[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]
http://www.armenianow.com/society/47789/armenia_freedom_of_speech_media_jour
nalists_report
SOCIETY | 18.07.13 | 11:20
Photolure
Ashot Melikyan
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression (CPFE) states that
pressures and violations against media and journalists in Armenia
increased in the second quarter of this year.
The data summarized in the CPFE's report for the period in question
(April-June) confirm the trend.
The report also covers the May 5 municipal elections in Yerevan and
the period of electioneering preceding the vote. Violations against
media and journalists in Armenia tend to increase during elections.
"More cases of physical violence were registered during this quarter
as compared to the previous three-month period. The same can be said
about pressures. As many as 21 such cases were recorded, of which
eight were during the elections, while one instance of physical
violence against a journalist was registered during the campaign. In
general, an increase of pressure was registered as compared to last
year. Violations of the rights of media and journalists have noticeably
increased," said CPFE Chairman Ashot Melikyan.
According to the report, four cases of physical violence were reported
against journalists in the second quarter of 2013, which is by one
more than during the same period in 2012. The number of instances of
pressure on media during the period in question reached 21, which is
by 11 cases more than during the corresponding period last year. Eight
of the incidents of this nature took place on the day of the Yerevan
municipal elections, on May 5, and seven were the result of new trials
based on libel suits against media (including as third parties). The
other six were different types of pressure. As for violations related
to receiving and disseminating information, the Committee registered
three such cases during Q2 of this year as compared to 10 during the
comparable period in 2012.
Melikyan stressed, however, that journalists were able to do their
job during the elections and present to the public an objective
picture with comprehensive information. The CPFE head also noted
that as compared to the previous reviewable periods the police have
been more active in responding to violations against journalists,
but he added that there is still a lot to do in this regard.
According to the latest edition of the annual World Press Freedom
report of the international human rights watchdog, Freedom House,
Armenia, which has been ranked among 'Not Free' countries since 2002,
is now only one point short of being upgraded to 'Partly Free'. In
the report covering last year certain progress was made by Armenia
due to positive assessments of 2012 parliamentary election coverage,
decreased violence against journalists and media as well as fewer
libel suits against them.