Open news feed Close news feed
A A

Cases of violence against journalists did not decline in Armenia (video)

Social
index5

In the third quarter of 2014, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech (CPFS) registered numerous attempts by government agencies to limit freedom of speech and different types of pressure against media representatives, CPFS Chairman Ashot Melikyan said on October 31. He says media outlets in Armenia worked in tense conditions, and cases of violence and harassment against journalists have remained much the same. He says a major challenge for the Armenian journalistic community was the September 22 decision of the Court of Criminal Appeals which upheld the ruling of a lower court according to which two media outlets - Hraparak daily and ilur.am website  - must reveal the source of their information. “It is illegal to force media outlets to reveal their source of information and this is not the first instance of illegal censorship,” Mr Melikyan said. Then he recalled the incidents involving correspondents of A1+ Company and Haykakan Zhamanak daily who were subjected to violence. “It is noteworthy that the Special Investigation Service and law enforcement agencies are trying to cover up the incidents that involve journalists, thereby creating an environment of impunity that gives birth to new crimes,” he said.