13:30, 15 September 2003

Freedom of speech is under serious threat in Armenia today

Freedom of speech is under a serious threat in Armenia today. Chairwoman of the Armenian National Press Club, Ambion Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Narine Mkrtchian announced it in Yerevan on Saturday speaking at a hearing on the issue of the adoption of the new law of Armenia "On the Mass Media".

The chairwoman of the National Press Club noted the authorities tried all ways to persuade the country's public that the adoption of the new law "On the Mass Media" proceeded from the demand of the Council of Europe to observe The 1955 Rome Convention "On the Mass Media".

"In reality there are regulations in the draft text that contradict this international agreement," said Mkrtchian. She stressed that the journalist community of the republic negatively apprehended this draft, which disables the rights of the media, and protested against its adoption.

Source: ARKA (Armenia)