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PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S ANNOUNCEMENT TROUBLESOME FOR JOURNALISTS
http://armenianow.com/society/human_rights/54815/armenianmedia_prosecutor_general_gevorg_kostanyan
HUMAN RIGHTS | 30.05.14 | 12:44
GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
An announcement from the Prosecutor General's office has created
concern among media and raised accusations of stifling freedom
of speech.
Last week it was announced that unauthorized publication of preliminary
investigation information could result in penalties up to a year in
jail for the offender.
Armenian attorney general, clarifying the prosecution's warning about
publication of preliminary investigation data being penalized, where
human rights activists and media organizations saw a threat, tried to
dissipate journalist communities' concerns, saying that the warning
is firstly directed to the subject having spread the information.
The Freedom of Information Center of Armenia (FOICA) reflected on
the General Prosecution's announcement, in its turn expressing its
concern and considering the announcement problematic. The center said
such a law restricts freedom of the press.
On Thursday at a briefing with journalists Attorney General Gevorg
Kostanyan assured journalists that they are not targeted, but rather
the source of any investigation leaks.
"If the journalist doesn't reveal the source of information, that's
the journalist's right. If however s/he does, it is again the
journalist's right. Nevertheless, the subject of the criminal case
is not the media or the journalist, rather the one who, being a part
of investigation, possessed information," said the attorney general
adding that if the journalist uses his/her right and doesn't reveal
the information source, another procedure is designed upon the law,
when the journalist will be required to reveal the source in instances
of grave or specifically grave criminal cases.
The President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech (CPFS),
Ashot Melikyan tells ArmeniaNow that the Prosecution needs to police
itself rather than threaten journalists.
"They could have prepared a circular and reminded (agents) in their
system that protecting secrecy in the preliminary investigation is
their duty and if they don't they will be charged. A good question
would be, if you did not aim to direct your words to journalists and
media, why would you speak about it so publicly," says Melikyan.
http://armenianow.com/society/human_rights/54815/armenianmedia_prosecutor_general_gevorg_kostanyan
HUMAN RIGHTS | 30.05.14 | 12:44
GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
An announcement from the Prosecutor General's office has created
concern among media and raised accusations of stifling freedom
of speech.
Last week it was announced that unauthorized publication of preliminary
investigation information could result in penalties up to a year in
jail for the offender.
Armenian attorney general, clarifying the prosecution's warning about
publication of preliminary investigation data being penalized, where
human rights activists and media organizations saw a threat, tried to
dissipate journalist communities' concerns, saying that the warning
is firstly directed to the subject having spread the information.
The Freedom of Information Center of Armenia (FOICA) reflected on
the General Prosecution's announcement, in its turn expressing its
concern and considering the announcement problematic. The center said
such a law restricts freedom of the press.
On Thursday at a briefing with journalists Attorney General Gevorg
Kostanyan assured journalists that they are not targeted, but rather
the source of any investigation leaks.
"If the journalist doesn't reveal the source of information, that's
the journalist's right. If however s/he does, it is again the
journalist's right. Nevertheless, the subject of the criminal case
is not the media or the journalist, rather the one who, being a part
of investigation, possessed information," said the attorney general
adding that if the journalist uses his/her right and doesn't reveal
the information source, another procedure is designed upon the law,
when the journalist will be required to reveal the source in instances
of grave or specifically grave criminal cases.
The President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech (CPFS),
Ashot Melikyan tells ArmeniaNow that the Prosecution needs to police
itself rather than threaten journalists.
"They could have prepared a circular and reminded (agents) in their
system that protecting secrecy in the preliminary investigation is
their duty and if they don't they will be charged. A good question
would be, if you did not aim to direct your words to journalists and
media, why would you speak about it so publicly," says Melikyan.