News & events
30.03.2021 Armenian legislation draws criticism from press advocates
New Armenian legislation that would impose crippling penalties for insult and defamation is coming under criticism from local and international press freedom advocates, who are urging the president not to sign it into law. The law would triple the existing penalties for “insult” and defamation to three million drams ($5,700) and six million ($11,400), respectively. Armenia’s parliament passed the legislation on March 24 on a 76-40 vote. The two opposition parties opposed the legislation.
26.03.2021 Media Defence files case against Azerbaijan at ECtHR over bombing of journalists in Nagorno-Karabakh
Media Defence has today filed a case at the Strasbourg court on behalf of four Armenian citizens following the bombing of the town of Martuni by Azerbaijani forces during the recent armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. The applicants - three journalists who were injured and the brother of a journalist fixer who was killed - allege that as a result of this attack their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights were violated by Azerbaijan. The bombing took place on 1 October...
24.03.2021 STATEMENT
On 24 March, 2021, the National Assembly adopted in the second reading and completely the legislative draft amending the RA Civil Code authored by Mr Alen Simonyan, Deputy Speaker of the NA, raising the damages awards for insult and defamation to 3 mln and 6 mln AMD, respectively.
22.03.2021 Conflict Reporting and Safety of Journalists։ Meeting with Vudi Xhymshiti
The Freedom of Information Center of Armenia, in cooperation with the YSU Faculty of Journalism, organizes a series of online courses dedicated to the peculiarities of journalists' work during conflicts. Journalists-experts with many years of experience, who covered the 44-day Artsakh war, share their knowledge and experience with the participants. They tell how to cover conflicts, contributing to its peaceful settlement and maintaining personal security.
12.02.2021 STATEMENT
On 11 February, the parliament adopted a draft law authored by Alen Simonyan, Vice Speaker of the parliament, in the first reading, according to which the maximum amount of damages awards in defamation and insult cases must be multiplied by five to reach 10 mln and 5 mln AMD, respectively. We hereby note that yet another time the National Assembly is adopting legislation concerning the mass media, which is not founded on profound research and advice of competent experts.
20.01.2021 "A1+": Post-war stories
A1 + TV journalist Karine Asatryan, during her visit to Artsakh with her international colleague, recorded and videotaped the emotional thoughts of the people of Artsakh and the post-war daily life.
