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PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO COUNTERACT 'FAKE' USER ACCOUNTS WILL COMPEL ARMENIAN USERS TO 'EMIGRATE': STATEMENT
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/03/17/proposed-legislation-to-counteract-fake-user-accounts-will-compel-armenian-users-to-emigrate-statement.html
03.17.2014 13:33 epress.am
A legislative initiative circulated by a group of lawmakers in
Armenia's National Assembly toamend Article1087.1 of the RA Civil Code
[AM] designed to counteract so-called "fake" online user accounts
has caused serious concern among the local media and active users
of primarily social networking sites (SNS). Recall, Article 1087.1
refers to the order and terms of compensation for harm caused to honor,
dignity, and business reputation.
Nine organizations issued a statement on March 14 in which they
argue that the draft law doesn't so much solve the real problems as
it creates news ones:
"The vast majority of these conflicts, which the aforementioned
legislative amendments are designed to regulate, can be resolved
within the framework of the current legislation, judicial precedents,
and relevant interpretations of the RA Court of Cassation, as well
as the means of complaint that exist on the social networking sites
[themselves].
"At the same time, this legislative initiative contains threats to
freedom of speech, the realization of citizens' right to receive
and impart information, and the protection of personal data. It
will not have a significant impact on the flow of information that
is defamatory, insulting, or an invasion of privacy. In addition,
the legislative amendments will restrict/immobilize/bind/fetter bona
fide participants of information processes, compel Armenian Internet
users to 'emigrate' to sections of the virtual domain beyond the
control of national jurisdiction, and create conditions for the
selective application of the law and citizens' responsibility for
subjective reasons.
[...]
"We call on
"the authors of the legislative amendment to withdraw the bill;
"the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia to devote the
parliamentary hearings scheduled for March 31 to conceptual approaches
to regulate the Internet, as without this, isolated legislative
initiatives cannot be effective;
"the legislative and executive authorities of the Republic of Armenia
to develop legislation related to the field of modern communications
solely in the context of standards developed and adopted by European
institutions and in full compliance with them;
"all interested individuals and organizations to realize the importance
of self-regulation in the field of information and contribute to the
task of developing its mechanisms in Armenia," reads the statement,
in part.
Signatories:
Yerevan Press Club Media Diversity Institute - Armenia Committee
to Protect Freedom of Expression Media Initiatives Center (formerly
Internews Armenia) Freedom of Information Center of Armenia Asparez
Journalists Club Public Journalism Club Media Ethics Observatory
Information Disputes Council
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/03/17/proposed-legislation-to-counteract-fake-user-accounts-will-compel-armenian-users-to-emigrate-statement.html
03.17.2014 13:33 epress.am
A legislative initiative circulated by a group of lawmakers in
Armenia's National Assembly toamend Article1087.1 of the RA Civil Code
[AM] designed to counteract so-called "fake" online user accounts
has caused serious concern among the local media and active users
of primarily social networking sites (SNS). Recall, Article 1087.1
refers to the order and terms of compensation for harm caused to honor,
dignity, and business reputation.
Nine organizations issued a statement on March 14 in which they
argue that the draft law doesn't so much solve the real problems as
it creates news ones:
"The vast majority of these conflicts, which the aforementioned
legislative amendments are designed to regulate, can be resolved
within the framework of the current legislation, judicial precedents,
and relevant interpretations of the RA Court of Cassation, as well
as the means of complaint that exist on the social networking sites
[themselves].
"At the same time, this legislative initiative contains threats to
freedom of speech, the realization of citizens' right to receive
and impart information, and the protection of personal data. It
will not have a significant impact on the flow of information that
is defamatory, insulting, or an invasion of privacy. In addition,
the legislative amendments will restrict/immobilize/bind/fetter bona
fide participants of information processes, compel Armenian Internet
users to 'emigrate' to sections of the virtual domain beyond the
control of national jurisdiction, and create conditions for the
selective application of the law and citizens' responsibility for
subjective reasons.
[...]
"We call on
"the authors of the legislative amendment to withdraw the bill;
"the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia to devote the
parliamentary hearings scheduled for March 31 to conceptual approaches
to regulate the Internet, as without this, isolated legislative
initiatives cannot be effective;
"the legislative and executive authorities of the Republic of Armenia
to develop legislation related to the field of modern communications
solely in the context of standards developed and adopted by European
institutions and in full compliance with them;
"all interested individuals and organizations to realize the importance
of self-regulation in the field of information and contribute to the
task of developing its mechanisms in Armenia," reads the statement,
in part.
Signatories:
Yerevan Press Club Media Diversity Institute - Armenia Committee
to Protect Freedom of Expression Media Initiatives Center (formerly
Internews Armenia) Freedom of Information Center of Armenia Asparez
Journalists Club Public Journalism Club Media Ethics Observatory
Information Disputes Council