NEWSPAPER TO BE INDEPENDENT OF TRAIN FERRIES AND DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES, LOCAL MASS MEDIA

Yerevan, December 6. ArmInfo. Train ferries and moods of editorial
heads shouldn’t influence newspaper issues in Armenia, representatives
of local Mass Media said in the ‘Urbat’ debate club today.

Astghik Gevorgyan, Head of the Journalists’ Union, said that the
public isn’t interested in reasons of the paper delays. They want
to get their newspaper regularly. She added that the Constitutional
right on freedom of information is under a threat. A. Gevorgyan said
that this is not only an economic problem but a political one as well
and that Armenian government should get down to it.

Hakob Avetikyan, Editor-in-Chief of Azg newspaper, said that it would
be much desired if the government didn’t interfere in Mass Media and
on the contrary, tried to prevent such kind of problems.

Editorial offices will edit their issues in a more expensive editorial
office Noyan Tapan, instead of the present Tigran Mets, till the paper
problem is solved in the country. Boris Navasardyan, Head of Yerevan
Press-Club, presumed that the paper crisis could be connected to 2007
parliamentary elections. He expects anything from this government. He
pointed out that if there are political reasons behind the created
problem it means that the government attempt to violate freedoms of
word in the country.

Nikol Pashinyan, Editor-in-Chief of Haikakan Zhamanak newspaper,
critically said that the nation that submitted to closure of A1+
TV channel, ballot stuffing and other violations at the elections,
would submit to the shortage of paper as well. If the government wanted
they would have organized paper supplies from Ilchyevsk and/or Iran –
they are efficient when it is up to their interests.

Azg and Haikakan Zhamanak haven’t suspended their issues despite the
paper crises in the country.