Freedom of Speech in Pre-electoral Vanadzor
00:00, March 21, 2007 | Electoral Rights
At the end of the last week, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression organized a round table in Vanadzor, with the initiation of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Representatives of local media, NGOs, such as “Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor,” Orhus Center, “Aylyntrank”/Alternative, “Center of NGOs” and Armenian Constitutional Right Protective Center took part in the discussions titled “Freedom of Expression in Armenia and Parliamentary Elections.”
Mesrop Harutyunyan, an expert from Yerevan Press Club, presented the monitoring of 7 TV channels held by them. Several other issues were presented. “How much are the audience informed?” “Is there control?” “Why are the active parties, like ‘Zharangutyun,’ ‘Nor Zhamanakner,’ ‘Hanrapetutyun’ deprived of airtime?” Ashot Melikyan, the head of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression referred to manifestations of hidden censorship in pre-election period.
We must note that we held a similar visit to Vanadzor on freedom of media three months ago.
The director of local TV “Mig” told the journalist of “Aravot” that they will go to elections with serious financial and technical problems. During our visit the news of that TV channel often covered the events organized by Vahram Baghdassaryan, a candidate in the election districts #30. In answer to the question “Isn’t it early to start pre-election campaign?” the director of “Mig” said: “We know that pre-election campaign will start on April 8. The activities of the current member of the Parliament have always been covered. Unlike other candidates, he organizes visits or receptions almost every week.” He also added: “Vahram Baghdassaryan regularly helps our TV station.” By the way, the” leading news” of those days was that the abovementioned “current Member of the Parliament” distributed presents to teachers, employees of medical structures on the occasion of the “women’s month.” Lori-TV covered the events of Viktor Dallakyan, another candidate of the same election district. He bought tickets for the play “Ashnan Arev”/”Autumn Sun” on the same occasion.
Vanadzor mass media lack in urgent, operative local information. They did not refer to the victory of young chess players. Walking around Vanadzor we were informed that the printing house had been robbed, again the mass media did not have information. They did not cover that a group of civil initiative had been formed to hold a local referendum on impeaching the mayor of Vanadzor.
Ruzan Minasyan
“Aravot”, 21 March