Aravot: Armenia=?UTF-8?B?4oCZ?=s Law on Mass Media outdated

The newspaper's editorial comments on an article entitled 'Armenian journalism's sad face' by Araik Manukyan."Mr Manukyan is not the person expecting everyone to fully share his opinion. Nor I am going to prove furiously that I am not among the editors described in the article. Media outlets are competing, and the Aravot newspaper cannot pass a topic in silence if all the others are actively discussing it."The author is right about one thing. Adopted ten years ago, the Law on Mass Media, once progressive, does not meet present-day requirements. I would like to cite one of the latest examples. In an interview with our newspaper, an MP of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia expressed his opinion. A news website posts this opinion, with comments following. And a supporter of the opposition bloc Armenian National Congress (ANC), who is of the same age as the MP's child, leaves a comment insulting the ruling party member. It cannot be helped. This is the ANC' s conception of struggle for democracy, the editorial reads.
"So what can be done with the comment? If the editor deletes it, he may be accused of pressing freedom of speech. If he does not, people like me [I think such are a minority in our society now] may feel uncomfortable. So which of the sides is responsible for the comment? The author or the website? The Law on Mass Media currently in force does not regulate such issues. The most interesting thing is that any attempt of legislative regulation – if ever made – will be viewed as 'pressure' or 'censorship'," says the article.It is clear that nothing – an appeal, a joint statement by media outlets or a code of conduct – will of any help, the author concludes.   Read more... (299 words)

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