Epress.am News from Armenia
A couple dozen journalists or so from various media agencies in Armenia gathered at Republic Square in Yerevan today as part of a demonstration in defense of local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) chief editor, imprisoned journalist Nikol Pashinyan.
Demonstrators were carrying posters with Pashinyan’s photo on it and chanting, “Nikol! Nikol!”
Speaking to journalists, Nikol Pashinyan’s wife, head of Dareskizb Ltd. which publishes Haykakan Jamanak, Anna Hakobyan, said she had nothing new to report on Pashinyan.
“He’s very good, but continues to remain in a solitary cell. The term for remaining there will be up on Dec. 1 or 2. After that it’ll be clear, what decision they make, what they say, because it’s not known what steps will be taken after solitary confinement,” she said.
Asked whether, in his opinion, the protestors’ demands will be heard, Haykakan Jamanak correspondent Vahagn Hovakimyan, also speaking to journalists today, said:
“If every time you think will they be heard or not, we can just sit with our arms folded [and do nothing]. The important thing is for us to move our struggle forward; we ourselves have to fight. As for whether it will be heard or not, it seems to me, this should never interest at least the journalists.”
Referring to the small turnout of staff from TV stations, the journalist said the situation prevalent in Armenia’s TV companies has long been apparent: “Since 2002, we basically haven’t had a free [i.e. independent] TV station, at least in the capital city.”
Note that the following news agencies and online outlets were present today to cover the event: Azg daily, slaq.am, and correspondents from Yerevan and ALM TV stations. Actually participating in the demonstration were staff from GALA TV, Hraparak, Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun (“Fourth Self-Authority”), Jamanak (“Times”) daily, Hetq, A1+, Armenia Today and a number of other journalists.