Friday, June 11 2021 13:39

ArmInfo.The media environment is diverse in Armenia and includes a large number of outlets, but the political affiliation of various broadcasters poses the risk of biased election  coverage, this is stated in the interim report of the OSCE Office for  Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Election Observation  Mission (May 18-31), published on June 8.

The report notes that ODIHR EOM long-term observers and interlocutors  have reported that in person campaign activities are taking place  around the country, largely without required measures against the  COVID-19 pandemic. The national security situation has been  dominating the political discourse in the pre-campaign period, with  the fight against corruption and the socio-economic situation as  important secondary issues. Interlocutors have reported particularly  high levels of intolerant, inflammatory or discriminatory rhetoric in  the time leading up to the campaign period.

The media landscape includes 26 television channels (including six  with nationwide outreach), 24 radio stations, over 35 periodical  print publications, and more than 200 online news portals. Television  remains the most important source of political information,  especially outside the capital. The role of online sources, in  particular social networks, is growing rapidly. Facebook and YouTube  have become significant platforms for the exchange of political  information.

In recent years, international organizations dealing with freedom of  expression have noted improvements in the overall freedom of the  media in Armenia. Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the  Constitution. Defamation was decriminalized in 2010.  However, a  Civil Code amendment from April 2021 has significantly increased the  maximum pecuniary damages that can be claimed in insult and libel  cases. This change has been criticized by numerous media-related  organizations and was sent to the Constitutional Court for review by  the president.

Public television, which is financed from the state budget, continues  to be perceived as having a progovernment editorial policy. At the  same time, many ODIHR EOM interlocutors raised concerns that the  political affiliation of private broadcasters poses the risk of  biased election coverage.  Some ODIHR EOM interlocutors also noted a  growing distrust towards the media as a consequence of the coverage  of the recent war in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. In addition, some  stakeholders have noted that the absence of regulation of online  media outlets and social media platforms with regards to the conduct  of electoral campaigns risks contributing to misinformation and  intolerant and inflammatory rhetoric.

The media regulator, the Commission for Television and Radio (CTR),  is tasked with overseeing media compliance with legal provisions  during the campaign, including through its own media monitoring. In  case of violations, the CTR can issue warnings or apply fines.