Armenia is Badly in Need of Freedom of Speech

A1 Plus | 20:01:28 | 03-05-2004 | Politics |

ARMENIA IS BADLY IN NEED OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH

If Armenia wants to become truly democratic country it needs freedom of
speech, especially in struggle against corruption, the head of World Bank’s
Armenian office Roger Robinson said at the discussion dedicated to
International Freedom of Speech Day held Monday in Yerevan Press Club.

The Club Chair Boris Navasardyan said to put into practice freedom of speech
principle many issues, such as A1+ Company problem, should be reconsidered
and solved.

Astkhik Gevorgyan, the head of the Journalists’ Union, said Cooperation in
the Name of Open Society organization came up with a statement Monday
demanding law enforcement authorities to track down perpetrators of last
month’s violence and prosecute them to the full extent of the law. There is
also demand in the statement to remove articles 135,136 and 318 from Penal
Code.

The fact that A1+ TV Company has been repeatedly denied broadcasting license
proves that Armenian Radio and Television National Commission isn’t guided
by principles of impartiality and justice.