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OSCE/ODIHR observers say Armenian broadcast media showed selective
approach in covering post-election events
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. The main broadcast media, including public
television H1, showed a selective approach in their coverage of
post-election events, with a noticeable tendency to limit views
critical of the conduct of the election, according to the OSCE/ODIHR
post-election interim report.
According to the final results of the elections, Armenia's incumbent
president Serzh Sargsyan won re-election Monday with 861,378 votes or
58.64%. Raffi Hovannisian, Heritage party leader, stayed behind with
36.74% of vote. However, Hovannisian didn't recognize the results and
declared on `Barevolution' (revolution of greetings). Since February
20, Hovannisian's supporters have been organizing rallies and protests
in Yerevan and provinces of the country.
`All media monitored by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM regularly covered
gatherings and rallies organized by Mr. Hovannisian; however, H1,
Shant and Armenia TV often presented only general and at times
superficial coverage of the protests, while repeatedly stating that
the rallies were not authorized, and airing a statement by the police
to this extent.'
On the other hand, a number of online media as well as Radio Azatutyun
and public radio offered diverse views and more balanced reporting,
the observers said.
An OSCE/ODIHR EOM analysis of final results as published by the CEC
shows a close correlation between the voter turnout and the number of
votes for the incumbent, with PECs with above-average turnout also
having a higher share of votes for Mr. Sargsyan.
`Out of the 1,988 polling stations, 1,746 have 300 or more registered
voters.10 In 144 of those, voter turnout exceeded 80 per cent, which
seems implausibly high; the incumbent received above 80 per cent of
the votes cast in 115 of these stations. In 198 out of the 303
stations where turnout was between 70 and 80 per cent, the incumbent
received more than 70 per cent of the votes. Among 249 stations where
turnout was below 50 per cent, Mr.
Sargsyan received more than 50 per cent in 40, and Mr. Hovannisian
received more than 50 per cent in 155. The tendency of higher results
for the incumbent observed at the majority of stations with high
turnout raises concerns regarding the confidence over the integrity of
the electoral process.'
Earlier at a news conference on the next day after the elections Head
of OSCE/ODIHR Mission Heidi Tagliavini said the violations detected
during the election could not change the final outcome.
International observers assessed the elections positively overall
calling them democratic and legitimate, however referring to some
infringements. -0-
- See more at: http://arka.am/en/news/politics/osce_odihr_observers_say_armenian_broadcast_media_ showed_selective_approach_in_covering_post_electio/#sthash.SNxMjxHC.dpuf
approach in covering post-election events
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. The main broadcast media, including public
television H1, showed a selective approach in their coverage of
post-election events, with a noticeable tendency to limit views
critical of the conduct of the election, according to the OSCE/ODIHR
post-election interim report.
According to the final results of the elections, Armenia's incumbent
president Serzh Sargsyan won re-election Monday with 861,378 votes or
58.64%. Raffi Hovannisian, Heritage party leader, stayed behind with
36.74% of vote. However, Hovannisian didn't recognize the results and
declared on `Barevolution' (revolution of greetings). Since February
20, Hovannisian's supporters have been organizing rallies and protests
in Yerevan and provinces of the country.
`All media monitored by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM regularly covered
gatherings and rallies organized by Mr. Hovannisian; however, H1,
Shant and Armenia TV often presented only general and at times
superficial coverage of the protests, while repeatedly stating that
the rallies were not authorized, and airing a statement by the police
to this extent.'
On the other hand, a number of online media as well as Radio Azatutyun
and public radio offered diverse views and more balanced reporting,
the observers said.
An OSCE/ODIHR EOM analysis of final results as published by the CEC
shows a close correlation between the voter turnout and the number of
votes for the incumbent, with PECs with above-average turnout also
having a higher share of votes for Mr. Sargsyan.
`Out of the 1,988 polling stations, 1,746 have 300 or more registered
voters.10 In 144 of those, voter turnout exceeded 80 per cent, which
seems implausibly high; the incumbent received above 80 per cent of
the votes cast in 115 of these stations. In 198 out of the 303
stations where turnout was between 70 and 80 per cent, the incumbent
received more than 70 per cent of the votes. Among 249 stations where
turnout was below 50 per cent, Mr.
Sargsyan received more than 50 per cent in 40, and Mr. Hovannisian
received more than 50 per cent in 155. The tendency of higher results
for the incumbent observed at the majority of stations with high
turnout raises concerns regarding the confidence over the integrity of
the electoral process.'
Earlier at a news conference on the next day after the elections Head
of OSCE/ODIHR Mission Heidi Tagliavini said the violations detected
during the election could not change the final outcome.
International observers assessed the elections positively overall
calling them democratic and legitimate, however referring to some
infringements. -0-
- See more at: http://arka.am/en/news/politics/osce_odihr_observers_say_armenian_broadcast_media_ showed_selective_approach_in_covering_post_electio/#sthash.SNxMjxHC.dpuf