The statement of the media on the unacceptability of the format of Nikol Pashinyan’s press conferences

Last Friday, “Haykakan Zhamanak” (Armtimes) daily, referring to its sources, informed that in the coming week (probably on Monday) Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will answer the questions of the media. “As during the previous online press conferences, this time the questions sent in advance by the media will be voiced live by the commentator of the Public Television Tatev Danielyan,” the statement in the newspaper read.

Today, Nikol Pashinyan’s Facebook page confirmed the newspaper’s “information”, announcing that on June 27, the Prime Minister will answer the questions of the media on Facebook live.

The Prime Minister’s “press conferences” in such a format previously took place on November 23, 2021, December 24 and January 24, 2022. During those press conferences, the questions sent by the media are grouped and edited in the Prime Minister’s Office, often resulting in the distortion of the substance of the question or some nuances of the question. And sometimes some questions are not voiced at all.

As a result, public access to proper information is, in fact, restricted.

We consider that such a format of communication of the head of state with the media is discriminatory, inefficient, and contradicts the key principles of democracy, namely, transparency and accountability.

Therefore, we urge Prime Minister Pashinyan to return to the practice of free communication with the media, especially since the previously existing restrictions necessitated by COVID-19 are not relevant at present.

“Aravot” Newspaper

“A1+” TV

Infocom

MediaLab

Civilnet

Fact Investigation Platform

“Azatutyun” Radio Station

GALA

Media Initiatives Center

The statement is open for signing.