Union of Journalists of Armenia urges not to include legislative initiative of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in the agenda
STATEMENT
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan has introduced a legislative initaitive by which he proposes to increase the amount of compensation for insult and defamation published on social networks and in the media, that is, AMD 1,000,000 instead of the previous AMD 5,000,000 for insult, and AMD 10,000,000 instead of the previous AMD 2,000,000 for defamation.
This initiative is yet another tool of the incumbent authorities that is aimed at restricting free speech in general and freedom of press in particular.
On October 4, 2007, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted Resolution N 1577(2007) Towards Decriminalisation of Defamation, which clearly stipulates that it is necessary to set reasonable and proportionate maxima for awards for damages and interest in defamation cases so that the viability of a defendant media organ is not placed at risk, as well as provide appropriate legal guarantees against awards for damages and interest that are disproportionate to the actual injury.
The right to freedom of expression includes the freedom to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers, as prescribed by Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and any similar legislative initiative not only undermines the steadfast fulfillment of the international commitments that are assumed, but also causes great harm to the principles of democracy.
The Union of Journalists of Armenia, taking into consideration the pivotal role that the media plays in disseminating information regarding issues of public concern in a democratic society, condemns any such initiative, including the bill on making an amendment to the relevant Article of the Civil Code that was proposed by Alen Simonyan today, and urges not to include the bill in the agenda of the National Assembly.
Union of Journalists of Armenia
