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AUA: Public Lecture at AUA Law Department

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  • AUA: Public Lecture at AUA Law Department

    PRESS RELEASE

    April 29, 2006

    American University of Armenia
    40 Marshal Baghramian
    Yerevan 375019 ARMENIA
    Tel: (37410) 512-522
    Fax: (37410) 512-523
    Contact: Diana Manukyan
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.aua.am/

    Public Lecture at AUA Law Department

    YEREVAN -- The American University of Armenia (AUA) Department of Law,
    in partnership with the NGO "Internews" Media Support, hosted a public
    lecture by David Sandukhchyan (attorney, head of the legal service
    of the "Internews" Media Support NGO), entitled "Current issues of
    legal regulation of mass media" on Saturday, April 29, 2006.

    Mr. Sandukhchyan discussed the impact of current media legislation on
    freedom of speech in Armenia. He commented that, "According to PACE
    resolutions and reports of international media freedom organizations,
    the basic problem is the lack of the full independence of the
    broadcasting regulatory body. The television and radio regulatory
    body is formed of top political officials of the country through
    non-transparent procedures and, therefore, cannot be fully independent
    and neutral. Parallel with other deficiencies of the broadcasting
    legislation, the absence of political neutrality of the regulatory
    authority negatively affects the freedom of the broadcasting media
    in Armenia."

    The aim of the lecture was to raise media awareness about current legal
    protections for Armenian journalists and the regulation of mass media
    activities in general. Topics included the independence of TV and radio
    companies; legislative guarantees of the Mass Media independence from
    state authorities; protection of media professionals against imperfect
    legislation; and the inadequate application of current legislation.

    Mr. Sandukhchyan concluded with his view of the primary issue of
    Armenian media legislation and enforcement; i.e., the lack of a
    provision in the ROA Law on TV and Radio that guarantees broadcasting
    media independence from political authorities. He noted, however, that
    there is room in the criminal, civil and administrative legislation to
    develop efficient protection of journalists' professional rights. "The
    main problem...is the lack of enforcement of the legislation protecting
    the media professionals. Despite a number of violent acts against
    journalists that took place during the last three years, the relevant
    article of the Criminal Code was applied by the Armenian courts only
    once. None of the cases of violence against journalists by the police
    [were] disclosed and no...law enforcement authority was panelized,"
    Sandukhchyan stated.

    The event was free and open to the public. Students, representatives
    from international and local NGOs, and the representatives of media
    attended the lecture.

    Photos attached: David Sandukhchyan, Head of the legal service of the
    "Internews" Media Support NGO.
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