EDITORS-IN-CHIEF OF SOME ARMENIAN MASS MEDIA: CENSURE OF AUTHORITIES-UNDESIRABLE MASS MEDIA CARRIED OUT IN ARMENIA

arminfo
2008-03-13 14:28:00

ArmInfo. Editors-in-Chief of some Armenian Mass Media spread a
statement.

According to the statement, received by ArmInfo today, the day after
announcement of a state of emergency in Yerevan, on March 2, employees
of RA National Security Service visited newspaper editorial offices
and presented and unsigned and unsealed note, by which they warned
that if the newspaper publications contain an information diverging
from the official one, the newspaper activity of will be ceased. The
same day, NSS employees thoroughly studied the newspaper materials,
sent to printing-offices, and banned printing by an oral order.

Taking into account the fact that a so-called official information is
one-sided, does not reflect the general picture of the events and is
uninterruptedly spread by several TV channels, some newspapers just
refused of publications, while others forcedly stand idle. "All this
gives us grounds to claim that RA authorities banned the activity
of the Mass Media undesirable for them. Moreover, the terms of the
state of emergency, which ban publication of unofficial information,
did not cover "their" Mass Media.

The Internet-pages were also blocked in order to make the information
terror complete. IN addition, the programmes of the CNN and Euronews TV
channels, telling about the events in Armenia, are interrupted, while
broadcasting of the Radio Liberty has been completely stopped. We claim
that all this not only promotes reduction of tension in the society,
but also deepens the atmosphere of hatred and enmity.

The overwhelming majority of the Mass Media, spreading a so-called
official information, especially the news analysts of these Media,
only contribute, by their aggression, to excitement of unhealthy moods
and deepen mistrust with respect to the state. Our constitutional
rights for delivery and receipt of information, as well as the
generally-accepted principles of the freedom of speech and press
have been violated under the developed situation, the Mass Media bear
material losses, censure is carried out in Armenia, and our country
turned out to be in a full information blockade", the statement reads.

Editors-in-Chief of "Aravot", "Zhamanak Yerevan", "Lragir" newspapers,
deputy Editor-in-Chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak", "Hayk", "168 Hours",
"Trace", "The Fourth Power" newspapers, as well as management of the
"Internews" Company, Head of the Yerevan press-club and others signed
under the statement.