As we have already informed, Armenia has reported a progress in the column of World Press Freedom Index rated by “Reporters Without Borders” organization, ranking the 74th. Aravot.am asked the Chairman of the Yerevan Press Club, Boris Navasardyan, who Armenia has reported a progress when only during the known incidents on June 23, 2015, there was violation of rights against more than 20 journalists and 21 criminal cases were initiated based on these incidents. Boris Navasardyan first noted that there are quite big differences between the columns of ratings by “Reporters Without Borders” organization and, let’s say, by the columns of the ratings of “Freedom House”.
The reason lies in the differences of methodologies. “The challenges that Armenia’s media encounters do not have the weight in the questionnaire of the “Reporters Without Borders” organization that could rank Armenia lower. Such negative phenomena that we have seen in 2015, both the events of June 23 and the amendments to the Law on “The Television and Radio” adopted in December, which I think were the main negative developments in press of Armenia, they have not received adequate response in this rating list by the “Reporters Without Borders” organization,” – he said.
Boris Navasardyan opines that the second reason is that the state of affairs in other countries’ press is deteriorating faster than in Armenia, “I anyway would not consider it as a great achievement.” He added, “Several experts, I suppose they are five of them in Armenia, were suggested a questionnaire of 70-80 questions. And depending on which problem were asked more questions, the total rating can be changed. If you are asking five questions which can refer, let’s say, to June 23 developments, the amendments to the law on “The Television and Radio”, they will have a lesser effect on the total rating rather than ten questions about it. As this questionnaire is not adapted for the countries with such model of press as Armenia, the snapshot turns to be somewhat distorted, the main reason why I refuse to answer this questionnaire every year is because I think that they are not adequate for such countries like our and are more adapted, let’s say, for Latin America, Africa or some Asian countries.”
Ami CHICHAKYAN
