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Why internet in Armenia is `free', and the media `not free' (Video)
November 1 2013
`The first reason is the inertia of thinking. The methods that were
applied by the Soviet authorities during 70 years, are now
continuously applied to the media',- so replied Grigory Saghyan,
Deputy of the Internet Society of Armenia NGO to the question of
Aravot.am what the reason is that Armenia, according to various
international studies, is one of the countries where the internet is
free, but the media is not free. Our interlocutor believes that these
methods in the internet are unable to operate, `these people know only
the way to influence the media, and not the Internet.' To our
specification whether on saying `those people' Mr. Saghyan is
referring to the authorities of Armenia, he replied, `I mean those who
influence. If you say that it is not free, it means that someone is
influencing. On the other hand, there should be no specific influence
on the print media, because they have very few circulations. But,
there are electronic versions thereof, and having an impact on print
media, you have the influence on e-version.' To our observation that
there are already concerns about the control of the electronic media
in our country, Mr. Saghyan responded, `I have not heard of talking
about this kind of policy. In RF, the activities of some sites are
restricted by legislative and administrative measures. For example,
several officials are involved in this business, and based on their
complaints and research, the sites are shut down.' To our question
that soon we are going to join the Customs Union, perhaps, there will
be an electronic control in our country in the context, Mr. Saghyann
responded, `Customs Union is not going to change our sovereignty.
Adaptability can refer only to the customs legislation, it will not
refer to other laws.'
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/11/01/162306/
From: A. Papazian
November 1 2013
`The first reason is the inertia of thinking. The methods that were
applied by the Soviet authorities during 70 years, are now
continuously applied to the media',- so replied Grigory Saghyan,
Deputy of the Internet Society of Armenia NGO to the question of
Aravot.am what the reason is that Armenia, according to various
international studies, is one of the countries where the internet is
free, but the media is not free. Our interlocutor believes that these
methods in the internet are unable to operate, `these people know only
the way to influence the media, and not the Internet.' To our
specification whether on saying `those people' Mr. Saghyan is
referring to the authorities of Armenia, he replied, `I mean those who
influence. If you say that it is not free, it means that someone is
influencing. On the other hand, there should be no specific influence
on the print media, because they have very few circulations. But,
there are electronic versions thereof, and having an impact on print
media, you have the influence on e-version.' To our observation that
there are already concerns about the control of the electronic media
in our country, Mr. Saghyan responded, `I have not heard of talking
about this kind of policy. In RF, the activities of some sites are
restricted by legislative and administrative measures. For example,
several officials are involved in this business, and based on their
complaints and research, the sites are shut down.' To our question
that soon we are going to join the Customs Union, perhaps, there will
be an electronic control in our country in the context, Mr. Saghyann
responded, `Customs Union is not going to change our sovereignty.
Adaptability can refer only to the customs legislation, it will not
refer to other laws.'
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/11/01/162306/
From: A. Papazian