THE SYMBOL OF SPEECH FREEDOM IN ARMENIA IS “A1+”
Support A1+!Is speech freedom established in Armenia, and what measures are taken on this score? Our interviewee was Boris Navasardian, President of Yerevan Press Club.
“The main function of speech freedom is to make the current authorities render an account to society and free voters of their deeds. That is why the authorities don’t like freedom on speech as nobody who is able to make decisions would like to report on his deeds and be subjected to constant criticism. The pressure on speech freedom is apparent in all countries. And in all countries where the press became established as an independent institution it is able confront and withstand pressure and realize its public function. Unfortunately, we cannot state that the above-mentioned institution has established in Armenia, that is why the press mainly becomes an adjunct of the political and official spheres and is unable to implement its main function.”
“Usually when they speak of speech freedom, the example of the Yerevan Mass media is always illustrated. And what about the state of regional Mass Media.”
“Regional Mass Media have their advantages and certain problems which the Yerevan representatives don’t counter. Their impact on the political life is not significant and therefore the control on them by the various governmental structures is not strict as it is in case of the Yerevan Mass Media. It gives a possibility to have certain freedom. The results of our monitoring revealed that a few regional TV companies covered the election procedure more freely and many-sided without any pressure. On the other hand, the control and attention of the local authorities is significantly great on those Mass Media.”
“What will happen to the speech freedom in Armenia under the given conditions?”
“There are no systems or institutions which can shape alternative approach and opinion and keep the authorities under control in Armenia. The only way out while keeping the authorities in the realm of certain democratic rules are the international organizations. If they have an adequate approach to the events and developments of the Armenian press sphere, we can voice hope that the free press will develop in Armenia to some extent. As a symbol to solve that matter I can illustrate the behavior of the European Court towards “A1+.” If the legal arguments presented by “A1+” are respected by the European Court and the Armenian authorities are found guilty in the lack of the diversity on air which is directly connected with the embattlement of “A1+” in 2002,” we can expect certain changes in the sphere of speech freedom. But in case they don’t uphold the claim of “A1+” it will justify the illegal steps of the current authorities within the recent 4 - 5 years and they will get a “card blanch” to continue their work in the same way.
“And how will you comment on the fact that the necessity was aroused to give “A1+” a broadcast frequency in one of the resolutions of the PACE but the RA authorities don’t attach any attention to it so far?”
“There are two monitoring groups. If they are objective they will give positive results. The authorities always feel that the particular international establishment is going to apply sanctions, for instance, deprive them of membership for a year. That would be a serious blow for Armenia. The Council of Europe has lost its influence. It doesn’t have any impact on countries which don’t want to develop democracy. The mechanisms of the Council of Europe work for those countries which really want to be democratic. The Council of Europe can do nothing on this score.”
The interviewer was Lena Badelyan.
