ArmInfo. The mass media pluralism in Armenia is by no means shaping real and correct ideas of the situation in Armenia nor is it, regrettably, improving the popular understanding of the political reality and ways of resolving the problems, Boris Navasardyan, President of the Yerevan Press Club, said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"Even the few really independent media outlets can maintain quality and protect their well-earned reputation only if the country has a generally healthy political environment, with even conflicting political forces capable of organizing efficient and fruitful activities and enlisting support of certain sections of the public by means of a healthy dialogue," he said.
With Armenia lacking such an environment, the media outlets and public are only getting flows of all kinds of negative information from Armenia's political forces. Consequently, the public discontent with media outlets - their language, aggression and so on - is the result of the information they receive from the political arena.
Another serious problem of Armenia's media outlets is lack of funding that would enable their independent activities - in reporting and editorial policy. It, in turn, affects their freedom and ability to disseminate impartial information among the public.
"I can say all these factors do not at all facilitate the shaping of a healthy public opinion. So I consider it necessary for the government and the legislature to introduce initiatives at resolving this problem. No doubt, it requires a clear and coherent government policy. There is no forming independent mass media by granting civil freedoms alone in Armenia's present-day reality. The only way is government sponsorship," Mr Navasardyan said.