No Recorded Cases of Physical Violence Against Journalists in Last 3 Months: Melikyan

In the third quarter of this year (July–Sept. 2010), no cases of physical violence against journalists in Armenia has been recorded, said Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech Chair Ashot Melikyan at a press conference today. Sharing this good news with journalists, he explained that this is an unprecedented phenomenon, since there have been such cases in the first half of this year: 5 cases in the first quarter; 3 cases in the second.

Melikyan noted that pressure on media outlets and their employees has also decreased this year: in the first quarter of 2010, there were 4 such cases; in the second quarter, 5 cases.

As an example of such pressure, Melikyan noted the case of Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) journalist Syuzanna Poghosyan.

“Some had gone to the village of Varser in Gegharkunik marz [province], spoke with Syuzanna’s father, so that his daughter will no longer write critical pieces about Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan,” he said.

Melikyan also noted that, each quarter, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech present the results of their research in the form of a report. This year, research will be conducted also in the economic-political and legislative fields.

During the press conference, Melikyan expressed his surprise that no TV stations were present. 

“This is a very worrying fact,” he said.