ArmInfo. The second quarter of
2024 was unprecedented in post- revolutionary Armenia in terms of the
use of physical violence against media representatives. This is
stated in the quarterly report of the Committee to Protect Freedom of
Speech (CPFS).
At the same time, the Committee emphasized that this is due to the
tense socio-political atmosphere against the background of the border
delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, mass protests,
numerous clashes between the police and demonstrators. The Committee
also recalled that during the clashes between the police and
demonstrators, journalists and cameramen were attacked. "Although in
recent years, demonstrations, rallies and marches have often been
accompanied by violations of the rights of media representatives,
they reached their peak during the observed period. In particular, 14
cases of physical violence against journalists and cameramen were
registered, when 23 people were injured. This is the highest figure
recorded since 2018, and the number of victims is equal to the number
recorded during the revolution. Most of the physical violence - 11,
is the result of disproportionate actions by government agencies,"
the CPSF report says.
During the observed period, the flow of lawsuits against journalists
and media increased. In April-June, 17 such new lawsuits were filed
against 12 in the previous quarter. 5 lawsuits were filed by
businessmen, 4 by government officials, 4 by citizens, 2 by lawyers,
1 by an NGO and 1 by an opposition member.
Over the quarter, the number of violations of the right to receive
and disseminate official information from government agencies
decreased. We recorded 19 such cases compared to 41 in the previous
quarter. The problem here remains unjustified refusals to provide
information requested by journalists and the media, unjustified
delays in responding to written inquiries or vague responses that are
not related to the essence of the questions," the Committee noted.
Thus, according to the Committee, in the first half of 2024, 14 cases
(23 victims) of physical violence against journalists, 43 cases of
pressure on the media, 60 cases of obstruction of information, as
well as 29 court cases against representatives of the media on
charges of insult and slander were recorded. It is also noted that
during the quarter, international human rights and journalistic
organizations Amnesty International, Freedom House, Reporters Without
Borders, as well as the US State Department, mentioned cases of
violation of the rights of media representatives in Armenia and the
state of freedom of speech, recording that the media in the country
continue to polarize.
"According to these reports, an important achievement is the created
pluralistic environment. Thanks to this, Armenia improved its
position by 6 points in the press freedom rating, according to
"Reporters Without Borders". Last year, the Republic of Armenia was
49th in the list of 180 countries, this year - 43rd. However, the
organization stated that the legal framework regulating this area in
the country does not sufficiently protect freedom of the press and
does not meet European standards," the Committee noted.
