ArmInfo.The Media NGOs of Armenia demand to bring the police officers, which obstruct the work of the media to account.
The statement notes that on August 18, in the courtyard of the National Assembly, a walk-action was organized in the name of the protection of Amulsar and Jermuk, however, the police impeded the professional activities of a group of journalists. So, law enforcement officers did not allow media representatives to enter this territory and cover the event, and after that they demanded permission from the head of the parliamentary staff and only after that to provide a shooting. After a skirmish that lasted about half an hour, the police still let the journalists in, recording their names, surnames, patronymics and names of the media.
"We, the undersigned organizations, state that during the state of emergency caused by the coronavirus, this is not the first time that police officers, in their own way commenting on the law and the rights of journalists, abuse their powers and interfere with the activities of the media. It is appropriate to recall the demands to remove "panic-causing" publications from the media, as well as to selectively visit TV companies and initiate administrative proceedings due to the lack of masks during TV broadcasts. Proceeding from the above, we demand from the RA Police to initiate an internal investigation, to reveal the journalists hindering the legal activities of August 18, and to bring them to justice. We also call on the RA Government to clearly instruct law enforcement officers to act within their powers and not to use the conditions of the state of emergency as an excuse to interfere or unjustifiably restrict the work of the media, "the statement says.
The document was signed by Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, Yerevan Press Club, Media Initiatives Center, "Asparez" Jornalists' Club, Freedom of Information Center, Media Diversity Institute, Public Journalism Club, <Journalists for the Future> NGO, Goris Press Club.