Taguhi Tovmasyan, the chairwoman of the NA Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs, organized a discussion on the restrictions on the work of journalists in the parliament. Tovmasyan first stated that there is a serious legal omission. Article 6 of the Law on Mass Media defines the accreditation of the media and stipulates that decisions should not be made that restrict the rights of journalists accredited to a state body to cover meetings and events in that body, if they are not private. In other words, the decision of the NA Speaker, which restricts the movement and other rights of journalists, contradicts the law.
This decision was not discussed with journalists or stakeholders, and the sitting of the NA Council was not public. Taguhi Tovmasyan said that a lawsuit should be filed in the near future to challenge the decision on these grounds.
Daniel Ioannisyan, coordinator of the Union of Informed Citizens NGO, stated that there is unprecedented and unacceptable violence against journalists. “Such a thing should not happen in Armenia. Such a thing cannot happen in a democratic country, such a thing cannot happen in a semi-democratic country.” As for the restrictions on the activities of journalists, Ioannisyan said that the decision contradicts Articles 51 and 42 of the Constitution, which define the freedom to seek and receive information and the freedom of the press. These rights may be restricted only by law and for specific purposes. Ioannisyan said that they will appeal to the Administrative Court and challenge the restrictive provisions, including the provision on the ban on photographing security officers in the National Assembly, which, according to him, is unconstitutional and does not fit into any logic. Ioannisyan said, “Yes, there are journalists whose behavior was not so exemplary in the past, but if a few journalists break the unwritten rules, you should bring those few journalists to the field of ethics, not declare war on all journalists.” By the way, no pro-government deputy took part in the discussion.
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Hripsime Jebejyan
