Main independent and pro-opposition newspapers were not able to publish today due to continuing media censorship in Armenia. And this is despite president Kocharyan’s decree on partially lifting media restrictions under the ‘state of emergency’.
Particularly, Aravot daily was not allowed to publish as representatives from the National Security Service - who are apparently permanent residents in the publishing house - put ban on the newspaper. Aravot editor Abrahamyan says Radio Liberty that his paper prepared balanced edition presenting views of both authorities and opposition. However, it was the article on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s press conference which proved ‘decisive’ for state censors. They consider it containing “obviously false” information. For similar ‘justifications’, opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily was banned too. So essentially, only pro-government newspapers continue working in Armenia. Most blocked Internet sites remain as such.
Editors question the real purpose of Kocharyan’s decree on easing media restrictions. They believe that this step was made by authorities to provide a cover for continuing media blackout in Armenia by creating headlines on lifting it, but essentially keeping everything as it was. This way they will try to ease pressure from international community to lift media ban, and state of emergency rules, altogether.
But the reality is depressing, indeed. Here is what ArmeniaNow.com had to say to its readers:
“Dear Readers,
ArmeniaNow regrets that the latest changes in Yerevan’s State of Emergency still leave wide control and leeway for media censorship which has already been exercised in state restrictions of newspapers on the first day of the revised provisions. Rather than subject our future to vague interpretations of what is considered “situation-destabilizing information”, we will remain under media blackout till such time as the State of Emergency has been suspended.
Thank you for your patience.”
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2 comments:
ArmeniaNow is itself partly to blame. Although it probably prints some articles that criticize the authorities, its panders to the international financial community, which unfortunately has been deeply involved in all that is now becoming reality in Armenia.
Hetq Online provides with opinions of independent, pro-opposition and pro-governmental media representatives -
Journalists are also Responsible for the Situation We Find Ourselves In
The Chief Editor of “168 Zham” [Satik Seyranyan] stresses one fact that she believes is one of the reasons for the events of March 1st. “The media didn’t give equal coverage to the opposition representatives when compared to that afforded the government’s. Had the T.V, print and electronic media succeeded in preserving that balance March 1st wouldn’t have happened. Many people went to Freedom Square just to find out what was going on due to the information deficit." More...
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