For six months, Armenia records 19 cases of use of force against journalists

For the recent several years, the year of 2015 has become an unprecedented by the number of cases of the use of force against media representatives in Armenia. In the first half of 2015, 19 of such cases were recorded, and other 50 cases are recorded as the facts of pressure on journalists. This was reported by Ashot Melikyan, the head of the Committee for Protection of Freedom of Speech. According to Agaron Adibekyan, the head of the centre "Sociometer", Armenia has no institution to protect the rights of journalists.

In Armenia, journalists are eager to highlight the subject of protests, when it comes to social issues; however, they are not able to defend their own rights. This was declared by Agaron Adibekyan at the press conference dedicated to the International Day of Journalists' Solidarity held on September 8.

Agaron Adibekyan has noted that in general, the situation with journalists looks well in Armenia, and media representatives are free enough in their activities.

According to Ashot Melikyan, the extent of protection of the journalists' rights in Armenia can be judged by the progress of the investigation into the criminal case opened in connection with the events in Bagramyan Avenue on June 23, when media representatives suffered in a clash between the police and demonstrators. This year, the situation has worsened in relation to journalists, Ashot Melikyan notes.

In Armenia, journalists feel free, especially during the recent several years. This opinion has been expressed by Roza Ovannisyan, the correspondent of the information and analytical resource "Lragir". She has also claimed the lack of censorship in the country. According to Roza Ovannisyan, she raises the most acute problems in the country, and Armenian officials always have an opportunity to express their position in the responding materials.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.