PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN HELD A RECEPTION FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF MASS MEDIA ON THE OCCASION OF NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
president.am
Dec 28 2009
Armenia
President Serzh Sargsyan held a reception at the Presidential Palace
for over two hundred representatives of mass media on the occasion
of New Year and Christmas holidays.
The President of Armenia congratulated the journalists on the
occasion and said, "Year 2009 will soon come to an end. It’s been
full of vigorous events and remarkable developments. It is no secret
that your words, your position and point of view really matter in our
society since it is from you that our society first learns about all
the happenings. It means that the chronicle of our state is written in
part also by you. It’s my wish and desire that this chronicle comes
out as unbiased and comprehensive as possible. Imagine a historian
who will try to picture the events and atmosphere reigning today in
Armenia going through the media of the time. I think you’ll agree
that he will not always have a comprehensive picture, the printed
material will not always be a reliable source, and the conclusions
reflected in there will not always be unbiased.
We appreciate your difficult work which sometimes demands civic
courage. Be assured that any, I would like to repeat, unbiased
and concerned publication regarding any problem in our country has
been and will be appreciated. Raising alarm publications, outspoken
materials help the authorities to avoid mistakes, prevent them in time,
and always be alert.
I wish that in 2010 you have ample opportunities to bring joyous news
to our people. When tragedy strikes in any corner of the world, all
are talking about it: The bigger the tragedy, the bigger the audience
and response. I wish that in 2010 it is only good news that attract
huge audiences and response, news about scientific breakthroughs,
achievements in sports – this makes people happy.
I also wish that in 2010, with you help, we have such a degree of civil
liberties, democracy, and tolerance that it will not be necessary to
be courageous for our journalists and citizens to be frank, to voice
an opinion, or conduct journalist investigation.
I believe year 2009 has been a productive one for our entire media.
Taking this opportunity, I thank all those journalists who throughout
this year have been covering activities of the President and the
Presidential staff. Summarizing the year’s work, it is easy to see how
much effort and time it takes from you and your colleagues to do it.
I am confident that working together, even speaking from differing
positions, we will move our country and our society forward, and 2010
will become a vivid testimony to that advancement.
Once again, I congratulate you on the occasion of New Year and
Christmas. I wish you in 2010 to be active, principled, and fair.
Happy New Year!