Dependence obvious

A1plus

| 01:29:41 | 11-06-2005 | Politics |

DEPENDENCE OBVIOUS

The freedom of speech in Armenia is guaranteed by the Constitution.
“Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech”, Article 24 of the
Constitution says.

Is press free in Armenia? We addressed 100 citizens with this question
June 4-9.

“Press in not free either in Armenia or any other country”, one of
the respondents said. 52% agreed with this opinion. “Is Armenia a
free state? No. Thus press can’t be free either. When we become
an economically independent state our press will be independent of
authorities and oligarchs”, a man said. 28% of those surveyed consider
that press in partly free. “There are several opposition newspapers and
television sometimes raises urgent issues”, one of them said. Only 2 %
said press is free in Armenia.

18% found difficulty in answering. To remind, according the annual
report by Freedom House international organization press in Armenia
was rated as not free.