Armenian Public Has Interests Other Than Protests Against Electricity Rates Hike: State Official

If the Chairman of the National Commission on Television and Radio of the Republic of Armenia does not attach importance to the coverage of the non-stop sit-in protests on Baghramyan Avenue and Freedom Square in Yerevan, moreover, tries to impugn the necessity of informing the RA citizens about these demonstrations, then he is absolutely incompetent as a Chairman, has zero understanding of his obligations and journalism as a whole, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office director, human rights defender Artur Sakunts wrote on his personal Facebook page, commenting on RA NCTR Chair Gagik Buniatyan's (pictured) recent statement. 

In an interview with Armtimes.com [ARM] the official had said that Public Television of Armenia and other major media outlets “are not obligated to and do not have the means to cover all events.”

In response to a question whether he thought the Public TV's coverage of the protests on Baghramyan Avenue sufficient, Buniatyan said: “I think the coverage is fine. Why do you think the public has no other interests or problems?”

Touching on the Chair's words, Artur Sakunts wrote Buniatyan was purposefully feigning ignorance to “conceal the apparent censorship.”

“Concealing the truth also indicates lack of competence,” the human rights' defender noted, calling for Buniatyan's resignation. “It's shameful; you are a grown man,” Sakunts concluded.