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ARMENIAN TV CHANNELS CUT BACK ON POLITICAL NEWS
By Ruzanna Khachatrian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 18 2007
Armenia's leading television stations have mysteriously stopped
covering daily news conferences featuring politicians and other public
figures, sparking suggestions that the authorities are keen to further
restrict press freedom ahead of next year's presidential elections.
Prominent individuals with a wide range of opinions and interests
meet journalists and debate among each other at various Armenian press
clubs on a daily basis. The local TV networks have until now readily
covered such events, even when those featured opposition speakers.
"Our events haven't been covered by any TV channel for the past five
days," said Tatul Hakobian of the Urbat Press Club. "Such a thing
hasn't happened before. Why have they covered each of our events for
the past year or so only to stop doing that now?"
Several pro-opposition newspapers claimed on Thursday that the
authorities have ordered the loyal broadcasters to halt the coverage
as part of their efforts to close the proliferating press clubs and
thereby restrict Armenians' access to information in the run-up to
the elections. Some of them said the order came from President Robert
Kocharian's office, while others pointed the finger at Prime Minister
Serzh Sarkisian.
Kocharian's spokesman, Victor Soghomonian, dismissed the claims as
"ridiculous." Aides to Sarkisian, who is currently visiting the United
States, could not be reached for comment.
The reports prompted serious concern from the Yerevan Press Club (YPC),
a leading media association. "In the last few days, news conferences
held by politicians and public figures have not been covered by any
TV company," a senior YPC member, Mesrop Harutiunian, told RFE/RL.
"The TV companies could not have simultaneously made the same
decision on their own," Harutiunian said, suggesting that they acted
on government orders.
The broadcasters declined a comment when contacted by RFE/RL. A top
executive of Armenia TV, Gagik Mkrtchian, was quoted by a newspaper
as saying that the private network has decided to stop covering
press club events because speakers there sit against the backdrop
of advertisements.
Urbat's Hakobian countered that the adverts are the only source of
revenues of his and other clubs. "We can not remove banners because
we for us that would mean closure," he said. "Why haven't they brought
up the matter for the past year?"
"I can only say that I am surprised by the simultaneous refusal by
a dozen TV companies to cover our events," he added.
All major Armenian broadcasters are loyal to Kocharian and his
administration. Their coverage of previous Armenian elections was
criticized as heavily biased by international monitors.
By Ruzanna Khachatrian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 18 2007
Armenia's leading television stations have mysteriously stopped
covering daily news conferences featuring politicians and other public
figures, sparking suggestions that the authorities are keen to further
restrict press freedom ahead of next year's presidential elections.
Prominent individuals with a wide range of opinions and interests
meet journalists and debate among each other at various Armenian press
clubs on a daily basis. The local TV networks have until now readily
covered such events, even when those featured opposition speakers.
"Our events haven't been covered by any TV channel for the past five
days," said Tatul Hakobian of the Urbat Press Club. "Such a thing
hasn't happened before. Why have they covered each of our events for
the past year or so only to stop doing that now?"
Several pro-opposition newspapers claimed on Thursday that the
authorities have ordered the loyal broadcasters to halt the coverage
as part of their efforts to close the proliferating press clubs and
thereby restrict Armenians' access to information in the run-up to
the elections. Some of them said the order came from President Robert
Kocharian's office, while others pointed the finger at Prime Minister
Serzh Sarkisian.
Kocharian's spokesman, Victor Soghomonian, dismissed the claims as
"ridiculous." Aides to Sarkisian, who is currently visiting the United
States, could not be reached for comment.
The reports prompted serious concern from the Yerevan Press Club (YPC),
a leading media association. "In the last few days, news conferences
held by politicians and public figures have not been covered by any
TV company," a senior YPC member, Mesrop Harutiunian, told RFE/RL.
"The TV companies could not have simultaneously made the same
decision on their own," Harutiunian said, suggesting that they acted
on government orders.
The broadcasters declined a comment when contacted by RFE/RL. A top
executive of Armenia TV, Gagik Mkrtchian, was quoted by a newspaper
as saying that the private network has decided to stop covering
press club events because speakers there sit against the backdrop
of advertisements.
Urbat's Hakobian countered that the adverts are the only source of
revenues of his and other clubs. "We can not remove banners because
we for us that would mean closure," he said. "Why haven't they brought
up the matter for the past year?"
"I can only say that I am surprised by the simultaneous refusal by
a dozen TV companies to cover our events," he added.
All major Armenian broadcasters are loyal to Kocharian and his
administration. Their coverage of previous Armenian elections was
criticized as heavily biased by international monitors.