YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
JULY 17-23, 2009
HIGHLIGHTS:
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB CELEBRATED ITS 14TH ANNIVERSARY AND GRANTED THE ANNUAL
AWARD
AMENDMENTS TO LAW "ON MASS COMMUNICATION" UNACCEPTABLE, AS SEEN BY THE
OMBUDSMAN
HEALTH CONDITION OF "ZHAMANAK" CHIEF EDITOR DETERIORATED
INTERNEWS DOCUMENTARY "CAUCASIAN NIECE" AWARDED A DIPLOMA OF "GOLDEN
APRICOT" FILM FESTIVAL
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB CELEBRATED ITS 14TH ANNIVERSARY AND GRANTED THE ANNUAL
AWARD
On July 18 was the 14th anniversary since the foundation of Yerevan Press
Club. On the same day at "Gusan" cafe in Yerevan the YPC Annual Award
Ceremony was held. The Award was established in 1998 and is conferred to the
best journalists and media organizations of Armenia (see ,
"Awards" section).
YPC Annual Award winners in 2008-2009 are:
Vahan Kochar – received the Award after Ruben Mangasarian, famous
photojournalist, one of the YPC founders, who untimely passed away. The
Award was granted to Vahan Kochar for the book-album "Armenian
Photographers". The prize was given by the brother of Ruben Mangasarian,
Tigran Mangasarian, Director of "Patker" photo agency.
Tatul Hakobian – for the book "Green and Black. Diary of Artsakh". The
prize was handed to Tatul Hakobian by Mesrop Harutiunian, YPC Board Member,
Expert of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression.
Artyom Yerkanian, observer of "Shant" TV company, for the documentary
"Armenians, Forgive Us", dealing with Armenian-Turkish relations. The prize
was awarded from Avet Demurian, correspondent of "Associated Press" news
agency in Armenia, YPC Vice President. Artyom Yerkanian also received a
memorial gift from "Deutsche Welle" radio station, handed by Ashot Gazazian,
"DW" correspondent in Armenia.
Internews Media Support public organization – for the documentary series
"Farewell Arm: from Belfast to Balkans", dealing with the mechanisms of
European conflict settlement. The award was granted to Internews by Elina
Poghosbekian, Editor of YPC Weekly Newsletter.
"Yerkir Media" TV company – for long-term and effective cooperation with
Yerevan Press Club. "Yerkir Media" received the prize from YPC President
Boris Navasardian.
AMENDMENTS TO LAW "ON MASS COMMUNICATION" UNACCEPTABLE, AS SEEN BY THE
OMBUDSMAN
On July 22 RA Human Rights Defender Armen Harutiunian addressed a letter to
RA National Assembly Chairman Hovik Abrahamian referring to the draft law
"On Introducing Amendment and Supplements to the RA Law ‘On Mass
Communication’ ". The draft law was suggested by RA NA deputy Victor
Dallakian and submitted to the National Assembly on July 6, 2009. The author
of the draft proposes, in particular, to supplement the Law with provisions
determining the rights and obligations of journalists.
By mentioning that the suggested amendments "caused a critic reaction by a
number of media organizations", Armen Harutiunian stressed that the main
provisions of the draft contravene the Article 10 of the European Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, assuring the
freedom of expression, as well as the case law of the European Court of
Human Rights. In the letter to the parliament speaker the Human Rights
Defender overall considers the draft law to be "unacceptable and indigent to
improvement".
HEALTH CONDITION OF "ZHAMANAK" CHIEF EDITOR DETERIORATED
On July 22 RA Human Rights Defender Armen Harutiunian referred with a letter
to RA Minister of Justice Gevorg Danielian requesting to arrange proper
health examination of Arman Babajanian, Chief Editor of "Zhamanak" daily.
Arman Babajanian, sentenced to 3.5 years of imprisonment for document fraud
to evade mandatory military service, is at the "Hospital for Convicts" for
already two weeks.
The reason for addressing the Minister of Justice became the visit of the
ombudsman’s representatives to the Hospital on July 21. Arman Babajanian
expressed a concern that by the moment his term of detention expires
(September 16, 2009), he can irreversibly miss the chance to improve the
health condition.
INTERNEWS DOCUMENTARY "CAUCASIAN NIECE" AWARDED A DIPLOMA OF "GOLDEN
APRICOT" FILM FESTIVAL
On July 12-19 in Yerevan the 6th International Film Festival was held. The
competition nominations were: "Feature Film", "Documentary Film" and
"Armenian Panorama". Namely, the last category included feature as well as
documentary movies, shot by Armenian directors from different countries.
In the nomination "Armenian Panorama" the main "Golden Apricot" prize was
awarded to the documentary of Arka Manukian "With Love and Gratitude". The
documentary of Levon Kalantar "Caucasian Niece" was marked with a Diploma of
the Jury (scriptwriters – Armineh Martirosian and Harutiun Mansurian). The
film was made by Internews Media Support public organization in cooperation
with Stepanakert Press Club through the support of the Conciliation
Resources British NGO.
N.B. Dear readers, please note that YPC Weekly Newsletter will next be
issued in early September, 2009.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
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0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
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