JOURNALISTS MORE PROTECTED THAN OTHER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
Sona Hakobyan

"Radiolur"
03.05.2010 18:59

The Freedom House independent, international watchdog organization,
published Thursday the annual report on Freedom of the Press 2010:
A Global Survey of Media Independence. Although Armenia has advanced
two positions, it still ranks among not free states. President of the
Committee on Protection of the Freedom of Speech Ashot Melikyan says
Armenia still has much to do in the field.

"It’s very important for representatives of the society, the
authorities and politicians, in general, to be more tolerant towards
criticism," Ashot Melikyan told a press conference today.

Five cases of violations against journalists have been registered
this year as compared to the three cases in the same period of 2009.

Nevertheless, journalists are more protected today than other members
of society, says Edik Baghdasaryan, editor-in-chief of the Hetq Online.

Financial independence is crucial for reaching full freedom of speech,
Edik Baghdasaryan said, adding that structural and legal reforms
are needed.