“UJA condemns this step against the free press by state’s highest figure”

On his Facebook page Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed to the news on the gathering organized by the repretsentatives of the authorities published on January 13 on “Hraparak” newspaper’s www.hraparak.am website. He reflected by, to put it mildly, expressing his bewilderment, indignation and anger over information actually of household nature, which is non-political, non-strategic and of invital significance. Without referring to the information of the media outlet and formations of PM’s reflection, it should be stated that, willingly or not, Nikol Pashinyan presented the government’s perception and attitude of the free press that has nothing to do with the standards characteristic of  the international, democratic country and its society. Nikol Pashinyan’s this response is an encroachment on key subsystem of public administration, the press, which, may lead to other, more dangerous attutide toward the media in case of not having adequate counter—measures.

The Union of Journalists of Armenia (UJA) condemns this step against the free press by state’s highest figure, expressing its support to “Hraparak” newspaper and its employees.

As organization advocating for the interests of the journalistsic community UJA will be consistent in promoting the role and functions of the free press by the government and the consciousness of the mission of government’s controller. Otherwise, in the case of any restrictions on the freedom of the press, Armenia may appear in the clutches of democratic autocracy, and many of its evidence, unfortunately, has been manifested in the past nine months.

Union of Journalists of Armenia