YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS:
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
MEDIA DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
YEREVAN-BAKU TV BRIDGES: SUMMARY OF THREE YEARS’ RESEARCH ON KARABAGH
PROBLEM
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ATTACKED
CAMPAIGN IN “A1+” SUPPORT WILL TAKE PLACE
THE FIRST PUBLIC NEWSPAPER OF KARABAGH
HALF A CENTURY ON LAUGHTER DAY
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
In compliance with Article 12, “Transparency of Financial Sources”, of RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, we present 2003 financial report of Yerevan
Press Club Weekly Newsletter and the website
In 2003, totally $11,200 in AMD were spent for publication of YPC Weekly
Newsletter and support of the website
The whole sum was covered by the grant provided by Open Society Institute.
MEDIA DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
In compliance with Article 12, “Transparency of Financial Sources”, of RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, we present 2003 financial report of “Media
Dialogue” Weekly Newsletter and the website
In 2003, totally $4,895 in AMD were spent for publication of “Media
Dialogue” Weekly Newsletter and support of the website
The whole sum was covered by the grant provided by Open Society Institute.
YEREVAN-BAKU TV BRIDGES: SUMMARY OF THREE YEARS’ RESEARCH ON KARABAGH
PROBLEM
On March 26-28, Yerevan-Baku satellite TV conferences were held. They were
organized by Yerevan and Baku Press Clubs under “Possible Resolutions to the
Karabagh Conflict: Expert Evaluations and Media Coverage” joint project,
supported by Open Society Institute Network Media Program. Stepanakert Press
Club was also involved in project implementation. Technical assistance in
conducting the TV bridges was provided by “Mir” Interstate TV and Radio
Company. Experts and journalists of the two countries participated in the
conferences discussing different aspects of Mountainous Karabagh problem and
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations in general.
The 26-27 March TV conferences were devoted to the research on Karabagh
conflict settlement. The surveys were conducted in 2003, using Delphi
method, among the experts of Armenia (15 political scientists, heads and
political observers of media), Azerbaijan (15 analysts and political
observers of leading media) and Mountainous Karabagh (5 political
scientists, heads and political observers of media). On the first day, the
results of Delphi examination in Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh were
presented by the Armenian project coordinator Ashot Melikyan. On the second
day, the head of the examination in Azerbaijan, Rasim Musabekov introduced
the results of the survey among Azerbaijani experts. After discussing the
report, joint Armenian-Azerbaijani conclusion was publicized concerning
Karabagh problem resolution. It was based on the summary of the Delphi
examination results. The main argument of this conclusion was: “Although the
views and approaches of Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in many aspects are
quite controversial, nevertheless certain potential was observed for
reconciliation of the positions to achieve visible progress in peaceful
settlement of Karabagh conflict.”
On March 28, at the third Yerevan-Baku TV bridge, the audience was presented
the results of the monitoring of Karabagh problem coverage by the media of
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Mountainous Karabagh, conducted simultaneously
(March 1 – July 31, 2003) with the same methodology. Media monitoring
coordinators – Yalchin Salimov in Azerbaijan and Elina Poghosbekian in
Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh – made reports.
It should also be noted that both Delphi examination and media monitoring
became a final stage of complex research on Karabagh conflict problems,
implemented by YPC and BPC for three years (2001-2003). The publication of
the results of this research (in Russian and English languages) may soon be
available on YPC website:
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ATTACKED
On March 30, morning, Chairman of Armenian Helsinki Association,
correspondent of “Prima” Russian news agency, Michael Danielian was
attacked. Four unknown persons assaulted the human rights defender and
journalist on his way to the house entrance when he was coming back after a
walk with the dog.
With the bruises from heavy beating and possible brain concussion, Michael
Danielian was transported to the neurosurgical department in one of Yerevan
hospitals. According to the victim, the attack is provoked by his human
rights activity and is to serve as of warning on the part of the
authorities.
On the same day, March 30, Yerevan Press Club, Journalists Union of Armenia,
Internews Armenia public organization and Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression presented a statement.
“On March 30, journalist and human rights defender, Michael Danielian was
attacked and beaten by unknown persons. Condemning this display of violence,
we assess it as a consequence of political intolerance in the country in
recent days.
We express hope that law and order bodies will break the sad tradition of
the last years and will find the culprits since only disclosing and
punishing the perpetrators will prevent further spread of violence”, the
statement of the four journalistic organizations runs.
On March 31, RA President press service reported that RA President Robert
Kocharian ordered General Prosecutor of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepian to study
the circumstances of the attack at Michael Danielian and to take all
necessary measures for finding the culprits.
CAMPAIGN IN “A1+” SUPPORT WILL TAKE PLACE
On March 31 at Journalists Union of Armenia, a press conference was held
with the representatives of the Fund for Freedom of Speech Support – public
organization initiating the April 2 procession and rally in support of “A1+”
TV company. The protest action is timed to the two-year term of “A1+”
without air (see detail in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 19-25, 2004). At the
meeting with the journalists, its organizers declared that the previously
announced time for starting the procession still holds (14.00 from the “A1+”
TV company building), however Yerevan municipality gave permission for
conducting the rally not on the Freedom Square but in the vicinity of the
Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran.
According to the initiators of this campaign, in the past few days they were
exposed to various forms of pressure and expostulation by the police and
prosecutor’s office urging them to give up their plans. Nevertheless, the
campaign in support of freedom of speech will take place. It was also
stressed that the aim and demands remain the same and are not politicized.
THE FIRST PUBLIC NEWSPAPER OF KARABAGH
On March 31, first public newspaper of Karabagh, “Demo”, came to life. The
newspaper is published with the financial support of “Conciliation
Resources” British organization and assistance of Stepanakert Press Club
under the project of the Foundation for Prevention of Global Conflicts of
British Government.
The Chief Editor of “Demo” is Gegham Baghdasarian. It is published twice a
month. Four out of sixteen pages of the newspaper are issued in Russian and
devoted to South Caucasus problems. The first “Demo” is distributed free of
charge.
HALF A CENTURY ON LAUGHTER DAY
On April 1, Armenian “Vozni” satirical magazine celebrated its 50th
anniversary.
Yerevan Press Club warmly congratulates the magazine staff and its many-year
head Aramayis Sahakian with the jubilee, wishing prosperity and lots of
laugh for the next half a century!
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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
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