ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 25 2005

WB: MY RIGHT TV SHOW CREATION IN ARMENIA IS FIRST STEP TOWARD
BUILDING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN LEGAL SYSTEM

YEREVAN, July 25. /ARKA/. My Right TV show creation in Armenia is the
first step to building public confidence in legal system, the article
placed on the World Bank’s internet site says. According to the
article, the TV show aims is to enhance public awareness of their
legal rights, in particular
In October 2003, the Government of Armenia and the World Bank funded
a television program called My Right to provide Armenian society with
information on legal rights.
Surveys found that many citizens were unaware of their legal rights
and lacked understanding of the legal system. Distrust of the courts
was widespread.
To change public opinion and create legal literacy, the Bank funded
the show through its Judicial Reform Project development credit. It
worked closely with the Ministry of Justice to identify public
information gaps.
The program uses mock trials to depict real-life disputes.
The judge on the show is a deputy minister of justice, Tigran
Mukuchyan, and the actors are often parties in a real dispute.
Episodes cover rental and property disputes, torts, contract issues,
and family law matters: all issues that are timely and of broad
interest.
A live studio audience of judges, lawyers, legal officials, law
school students and the general public discuss the trials on-air. A
special web site was launched for getting feedback and providing
general information to the public.
Aired once a week on Armenia’s Public TV channel and repeated on
Sundays, the show was soon a hit. After six airings, My Right became
the country’s number one show and received a special award. It
generated an immense interest in legal issues and citizens’ rights
among viewers, including parliamentarians and lawyers. Since the
Public TV channel is also broadcast on satellite, the show is watched
by many Armenians from the Diaspora who actively send their positive
feedback using the TV show’s web site.
My Right viewers write and call in for legal documents and decisions.
They are reportedly now asking for the same documents from notaries,
judges and other legal officials. Responding to public demand for
legal consultancy, the TV production team has organized several
meetings with the judge on the show and other lawyers from the
Ministry Justice.
The program has now aired about 40 episodes and popular demand has
prompted the production of another 40, the article says.
The local producing firm “AZD” was hired on a competitive basis for
the production of the TV show. M.V. -0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress