WATCHDOG EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT ARMENIA’S MEDIA

International Herald Tribune, France
The Associated Press
Dec 21 2007

VIENNA, Austria: A media freedom watchdog expressed concern Friday
about harassment and violence against Armenia’s media, saying there
was an atmosphere of intimidation and fear.

Miklos Haraszti, media freedom representative at the Vienna-based
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, also said he was
worried that the country’s Gala TV may stop broadcasting as a result
of pressure by authorities and called on officials to demonstrate
goodwill for a compromise settlement.

"The recent cases of harassment and violence against independent and
opposition media have contributed to an atmosphere of intimidation
and fear in the journalistic community in Armenia," Haraszti said in
a letter to Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

Gala TV is facing two lawsuits that could result in the company being
forced to pay about ~@58,000 (US$83,450) into the state budget and
the loss of its right to use its broadcasting tower, according to a
statement issued by Haraszti’s office.

"I trust that the local authorities will not make arbitrary decisions
and demonstrate goodwill for a compromise settlement so that Gala TV
can continue broadcasting," Haraszti said in the letter to Oskanian.