04 May 2013, 12:00
Armenian journalist organizations note improvement of the freedom of expression
Over the past few years, the situation in the field of the freedom of expression in the media of Armenia has improved, said members of journalistic organizations. However, in their opinion, to ensure the freedom of speech, a new law regulating the media should be adopted.
The level of media freedom has increased in comparison with previous years, said Ashot Melikyan, the chairman of the "Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech", at a press conference on May 3 to mark the World Press Day. "In particular, many online publications appeared over the past couple of years in Armenia," he said.
Armenia has the conditions for the freedom of speech, but they are not adequately protected, said Boris Navasardyan, the chairman of the Yerevan Press Club. "Today, the technologies and social media provide a great opportunity to speak out; however, this freedom is not the same for all media," he said.
According to Navasardyan, journalists in Armenia lack freedom in preparing their materials, as media owners and editors are restricting this freedom to some extent.
On May 1, the human rights organization Freedom House published its 2012 annual report on the level of the freedom of press in 197 countries around the world, where Armenia is placed among the countries with non-free press.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
