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HIDDEN CENSORSHIP IS DANGEROUS

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The mass media should unite and say “no” to any pressure hampering activities of media. “If mass media unites around a joint objective, they will not be alone. Is case of pressure, they may say they have certain commitments and cannot frustrate it,- Ashot Melikyan, chairman of the “Committee on the Protection of Freedom of Speech” NGO said to “A1+” during the two-day seminar on “The Role of the Regional Mass Media in the Protection of Public Interests”,- If 20 mass media act jointly, this will be serious”.

The “Committee on the Protection of Freedom of Speech” NGO implemented a program, aimed at activating collaboration with mass media and media organizations in the regions. In the result of monitoring, round-table discussions and interviews they prepared proposals and submitted to the mass media.

“We consider that the experimental advices would be useful for the mass media and will improve their activities”, mentioned Ashot Melikyan.

The investigations proved that the amendments to the law in this field are a problem, a hidden censorship: “Pressures, particularly on broadcasting mass media, negatively influence on the activities of the mass media. Besides the deficiency of the RA Law “On TV and Radio” hampers the productive work of media”, he said.

According to Ashot Melikyan, there is a relatively new, but very a dangerous phenomenon in Armenia – hidden censorship.

“The censorship is an obvious phenomenon in the broadcasting field. The broadcasting companies are controlled by the Government with trivial exceptions. And, in fact, no mass media manages to overcome taboos in Armenia. For example, we all saw that TV did not broadcast speeches of certain political parties during the parliamentary elections”.

A rule of behavior has been established by the Yerevan Press Club since March this year and about 29 mass media has singed it.

This means that they will be accurate and unbiased, be honest with sources, preserve editorial independence, show respect toward individual life and carry out other rights.

The activities of the mass media should be monitored by an observation body elected by them. If the mass media breaks the article and if an appeal will be submitted to the observation body, the media will have to broadcast the decision of the observation body on channel.