All Armenian citizens have the right to know how MPs work- statement

Several Armenian journalistic organizations have issued a statement regarding the obstacles created for media representatives in the National Assembly.

“We, the undersigned journalistic organizations, express our deep concern and indignation over the unacceptable situation and processes in the National Assembly during the last two days, especially the facts of obstructing or illegally suspending the work of journalists and cameramen covering them. At the August 24 sitting, when the hot debates of the NA members turned into a fight, the security officers forcibly removed the media representatives from the press booth, not allowing them to continue filming. The activities of journalists and cameramen were obstructed at the entrance to the courtroom. Among many other unfounded obstacles, the security officers threatened the operator of the News.am news website Hayk Tonoyan, to deprive him of the NA accreditation, if he continues to film, then, according to the latter, they erased the video of the fight. The same situation was repeated today, on August 25․ In order to prevent the parliamentarians’ fight from being filmed, the media representatives were again removed from the booth, using physical violence. Their professional activities were unjustifiably banned at the entrance to the courtroom. We claim that these actions against journalists and cameramen accredited in the National Assembly are nothing but illegalities against freedom of speech and the right of the public to be informed. They also contradict the statements made by the heads of three journalistic organizations, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, the Center for Media Initiatives, the Asparez Journalists’ Club, and NA Speaker Alen Simonyan. It is indisputable that all the citizens of the Republic of Armenia have the right to know how it works, what behavior each deputy shows. Moreover, any information about the parliament, which does not contain state or other secrets, should become the property of the public. And this can be ensured, first of all, through the unhindered activity of the media.