On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day an award handing ceremony “Press Freedom Time” took place on May 2, at the Journalists’ Union of Armenia.
The award was handed to the chief editor of “Hetq” newspaper and the president of “Association of Investigating Journalists” Edik Baghdasaryan for the development of investigative journalism, for his independent standpoint and professional courage (no one was awarded the prize in 2008 and 2009).
“There is a drawn circle in Armenia, from which no one wants to get out,” says the prize winner while speaking on the media field in our country. Baghdasaryan is convinced that in case of great desire journalists can make their voice heard, even at the cost of “quarrel” with their managers.
The event was organized by the Yerevan Press Club, the Journalists’ Union of Armenia, the “Internews” media support non-governmental organization and the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression.
Besides the media freedom awarding ceremony addressed to “the best fighter” of the year, the heads of the media organizations also spoke on topical issues of the media field to journalists.
Head of the Journalists’ Union Astghik Gevorgyan is concerned with the abundance of court cases against the media. According to her this phenomenon harms not only a specific media outlet, but the whole media community.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day an award handing ceremony “Press Freedom Time” took place on May 2, at the Journalists’ Union of Armenia.
The award was handed to the chief editor of “Hetq” newspaper and the president of “Association of Investigating Journalists” Edik Baghdasaryan for the development of investigative journalism, for his independent standpoint and professional courage (no one was awarded the prize in 2008 and 2009).
“There is a drawn circle in Armenia, from which no one wants to get out,” says the prize winner while speaking on the media field in our country. Baghdasaryan is convinced that in case of great desire journalists can make their voice heard, even at the cost of “quarrel” with their managers.
The event was organized by the Yerevan Press Club, the Journalists’ Union of Armenia, the “Internews” media support non-governmental organization and the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression.
Besides the media freedom awarding ceremony addressed to “the best fighter” of the year, the heads of the media organizations also spoke on topical issues of the media field to journalists.
Head of the Journalists’ Union Astghik Gevorgyan is concerned with the abundance of court cases against the media. According to her this phenomenon harms not only a specific media outlet, but the whole media community.
Unlike Mrs. Gevorgyan, today’s awardee feels more comfortable about resolving the issues in court, which according to Baghdasaryan, is an accepted thing in the world. Here the problem is related to the size of fines, which are high and often can bankrupt the media company.
To JNews question on what role the media has in society today and whether it can raise issues of public concern and support their solution, the head of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression Ashot Melikyan answered, “The media in our country will really become the fourth power, in the case if it becomes independent.”
“We can say that the media will perform its function, as soon as the institute of independent media is established, since the media is also a social control system. So we have much to do in this regard,” adds Melikyan.
Source: JNews.am