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The incumbent authorities deal with the press as a class-specific enemy and goal it by all attainable means. That is what President of the Union of Journalists of Armenia Satik Seyranyan mentioned as she summed up the 12 months 2021 for the press in an interview with Tert.am. She said that the press remains to be making an attempt to make sure accountability of the federal government, which is a hindrance to the institution of absolute and uncontrollable energy. “Which means the press in Armenia goes to struggle for its rights once more within the 12 months 2022. I’m completely sure that the press won’t again down and can proceed to implement public oversight, which is its most vital perform,” she mentioned.
Tert.am: How was the 12 months 2021 for the fourth energy?
Satik Seyranyan: Maybe it was similar to it was for the federal government and the society normally, that’s, sadly, it was neither constructive nor favorable. What is occurring within the media sector in Armenia is a part of the in-depth processes unfolding within the nation, and I consider it could be improper to separate the issues of the press from the overall public-political agenda. In 2021, sadly, politics regressed, and this helped deepen the problems associated to democracy, together with within the sector of freedom of speech even additional. The character of the authorities is persistently altering within the nation and is present process transformation. We see that the incumbent authorities of Armenia, which moved from the sq. to the places of work of presidency officers with democratic slogans, are doing every thing attainable to determine an authoritarian energy, whereas sustaining the shape and formal side of democracy, and the press is without doubt one of the greatest obstacles on their path. It’s this actual fact by which I situation the perspective of the incumbent authorities towards the press; together with all the issues, the press remains to be making an attempt to make sure accountability of the federal government, which is a hindrance to the institution of absolute and uncontrollable energy. The press remains to be making an attempt to make sure accountability of the federal government, which is a hindrance to the institution of absolute and uncontrollable energy. So, the 12 months 2021 was a tough 12 months for the fourth energy. To place it shortly, the passing 12 months was a interval of wrestle which the Armenian press, I repeat, led with honor and accountability, together with all the issues.
Tert.am: What goals did the press handle to satisfy in 2021? What had been the explanation why some goals weren’t met?
Satik Seyranyan: As a result of absence of counterbalances and mutual restraint, I consider the important thing goal of the press is to implement, in apply, public oversight over the federal government, and this requires a variety of will, dedication and professionalism from all of us. Think about what the state of affairs can be, if the press didn’t implement public oversight over the actions of those authorities — it could be a straight path to sole authority. This was the target of the press in 2021, and I consider it will likely be the target subsequent 12 months as properly. In a broader context, with this mission, right this moment, the press is, in apply, defending democracy in Armenia. In regard to the goals that weren’t met, there are numerous goals, ranging from technical points and ending with the extent of professionalism.
Sure, sadly, the press additionally faces severe issues, however they’re interconnected with the federal government and the opposite spheres of exercise of the society. The press can’t be higher when the opposite spheres of public life and the general public sector are so distorted. I consider the largest downside of the press is the truth that this can be very politicized. Our journalists usually fill the hole of professionalism by expressing their political stances, and this usually has a destructive affect on the standard of labor of the press.
Tert.am: The incumbent authorities all the time states that it’s the most clear authorities. Despite this, the restrictions on the press have elevated extra.
Satik Seyranyan: On this regard, this authorities stays true to its apply, that’s, it declares one factor, however does the alternative. How can this authorities be essentially the most clear authorities when the prevailing majority of the problems mentioned through the weekly periods are unreported points? That is merely ridiculous. So far as the restrictions on the press are involved, sure, throughout 2021, the restrictions on the press multiplied, specifically the a number of legislative initiatives of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia that had been focused towards free speech. Sadly, the incumbent authorities deal with the press as a class-specific enemy and goal it by all attainable means, and it isn’t by probability that, among the many legislative restrictions, additionally they encourage propagandistic assaults on the press and journalists in an try and painting the press as an inner enemy for a layer of the society. That is merely inadmissible in a democratic society, and, as I already talked about, by defending its rights, the press can be not directly defending democracy.
Tert.am: How would you assess the modifications associated to work within the Nationwide Meeting, notably the work of journalists, and furthermore, the year-end reception hosted for journalists?
Satik Seyranyan: I wouldn’t wish to put aside the perspective of any authorities company towards journalists since it’s the similar for all public administration our bodies. So far as the Nationwide Meeting is anxious, it’s presently underneath the management of an individual who’s the writer of essentially the most embarrassing legislative initiatives focused towards the press. I consider this says all of it.
Tert.am: What actions will the press soak up 2022? What are the challenges?
Satik Seyranyan: I already talked concerning the issues of the press. I would love for the press to have fewer issues, however, sadly, frequent sense means that it will likely be the alternative. Which means the press in Armenia goes to struggle for its rights once more within the 12 months 2022. Nonetheless, I’m completely sure that the press won’t again down and can proceed to implement public oversight, which is its most vital perform.
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