VHD Union and PAP Congresses, of course, are very interesting, so are the speeches, but I would not like that these events cast shadow over the ones happened before: RPA and ANC youth conflict, which I have already touched upon, and the violence committed against photojournalist Ani Gevorgyan.
Why is it important not to forget about it? Because politicians and political parties will come and go, will come to power, opposition or retired, will fight and reconcile (by the way, one more reason why we should not accept their words as granted), and we, the journalists, will keep covering it. And, this opportunity should be given to us unreserved, within the law. If during the opposition rallies or in any mass events, you, respected police officers, do not do anything illegal, then where does this obsession come from grabbing the video-camera or a photo-camera from us. Let us shoot, and then you will explain that, yes, we have taken these actions because of this reason, according to this law.
If your professionalism as police officers is not adequate for it, if you are actually playing in one team with “sakulik-haykuliks”, it is entirely not our job as journalists. There is a standard excuse: “journalists are provoking.” Theoretically, it is possible. But, in that case, you need to have the video, which proves that Ani has provoked, as I understand, you don’t have it. But, even if it were so, a question arises: what are you doing during your multiple “trainings”, which are organized, including with the grants of international organizations, too. The goal of these “trainings” is just it, isn’t it? Of course, I can not answer for all journalists of Armenia. However, I give the answer for all journalist of “Aravot”, as they say, with my head. When our staff-member Gohar Hakobyan is going to cover Taron Margaryan’s thesis defense, she does not have any intention of do “harm” to the Mayor and does not have any pretension against him. And when the abovementioned “sakuliks” obstruct her, push her and utter swearing words of sexual character, it is not a sequel of “provocation”, rather than a display of intellectual level of these guys and their senders. Most importantly is the fact that the police had allegedly “examined” the case, and allegedly “no evidence of obstructing the journalists was detected.” Well, this is called impunity giving birth to new crimes. I’m sure no facts for slapping Ani will be “detected”, as well.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
