1. Calls by Media Community
Tert.am reports that on July 14th a number of Armenian media outlets made a statement calling for a change to the measure of restraint applied against the Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” Nikol Pashinyan. The statement is signed by the editors and representatives of 26 newspapers and NGOs. It claims: “The Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” Nikol Pashinyan was arrested as soon as he voluntarily surrendered to the law enforcement bodies on July 1st. The court didn’t take into account that amnesty has been applied to everyone instituted on the events of March 1, 2008 and most of them have already been released.
Amnesty is also applicable to those announced as wanted, if they voluntarily surrender to the law enforcement bodies by July 31. The court also didn’t take into account that the authorities declaring amnesty have actually shown political will in releasing their political rivals and in holding them through political methods of struggle. However, we – representatives of the media and journalistic organizations – can’t agree with the discriminated approach against our colleague –the Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” and political figure Nikol Pashinyan.
1. Calls by Media Community
Tert.am reports that on July 14th a number of Armenian media outlets made a statement calling for a change to the measure of restraint applied against the Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” Nikol Pashinyan. The statement is signed by the editors and representatives of 26 newspapers and NGOs. It claims: “The Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” Nikol Pashinyan was arrested as soon as he voluntarily surrendered to the law enforcement bodies on July 1st. The court didn’t take into account that amnesty has been applied to everyone instituted on the events of March 1, 2008 and most of them have already been released.
Amnesty is also applicable to those announced as wanted, if they voluntarily surrender to the law enforcement bodies by July 31. The court also didn’t take into account that the authorities declaring amnesty have actually shown political will in releasing their political rivals and in holding them through political methods of struggle. However, we – representatives of the media and journalistic organizations – can’t agree with the discriminated approach against our colleague –the Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” and political figure Nikol Pashinyan.
While eschewing the detailed analysis of his political activities, we call for the authorities to change the measure of restraint against Pashinyan and to carry out a preliminary investigation as part of the charge under the circumstances of his being free. Thereby we are ready to stand as a guarantee in terms of law. In the case of the measure of restraint being changed, the authorities’ goodwill would be assumed to show respect in general towards freedom of speech and towards the media representatives, and to political opponents in particular.”
2. Amnesty Applied to Photojournalist Shamshyan
A1Plus reports that the Appeals Court applied amnesty to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan of “Aravot” and “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” and rescinded the penalty on July 15th. This is the way by which the investigation of the criminal case of disrespectful behavior towards the court by Shamshyan ended. However, Judge Mher Arghamanyan applied amnesty without changing the verdict reached by the Trial Court of Center and Nork-Marash Communities.
Gagik Shamshyan has refused to accept the amnesty, however, the judge has applied it. Gagik Shamshyan had been charged with insult and disobedience to Judge Gagik Avetisyan’s during Smbat Ayvazyan’s trial on August 5, 2008. The Trial Court of Center and Nork-Marash Communities found him guilty in the mentioned charge and fined him at 350,000 AMD (US$930).
3. Information Availability in Armenian Regions
Hayq has presented the summarized report of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration on the means of public awareness existing in 914 communities of Armenia (read the beginning in the previous issues: Armenian Media Digest, July 6-12 and Armenian Media Digest, June 29-July 4). 5 communities out of 44 in the Vayots Dzor region do not have fixed phone communication. Internet is available in 11 communities: 2 – in the municipality, 9 – within schools. None of the communities have an internet website, TV or radio stations.
There are no informational billboards in 20 communities, and only the Eghegnadzor community has a newspaper. 40 communities out of 113 in the Lori region do not have fixed phone communication. Only one community is lacking in mobile communication. Internet communication is available in 6 communities: 2 – at schools, 4 – in community administration offices. Only 5 communities have television companies, 1 community has a radio station and 3 communities maintain newspapers. 17 communities out of 62 in the Tavush region do not have fixed phone communication. Internet is not available in 24 of the communities.
There are TV companies in only 2 communities and newspapers are published in only 3 communities. There are no informational billboards in 9 communities. Only 6 communities out of 109 in the Syunik region have internet communication and only 3 communities have TV companies and newspapers. 12 communities do not have informational billboards.
4. A Street after Hrant Dink in Istanbul
Hayots Ashkhar daily reports that Istanbul’s Shishli District Community unanimously decided to rename Istanbul’s Shafag Street after Hrant Dink, the editor of “Akos” newspaper on July 8th. Located on this street is the Akos editorial office, in the entrance of which Dink was killed by Turkish nationalists on January 19th, 2007. The Community’s decision must be confirmed by the Istanbul Municipality.
Source: JNews.am