YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MARCH 16-22, 2012
HIGHLIGHTS:
YPC INTERIM REPORT ON MONITORING ARMENIAN BROADCAST MEDIA AHEAD OF
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (MARCH 1-10, 2012)
“FACE OF THE COUNTRY” – PRE-ELECTION DEBATES BETWEEN DPA AND “FREE
DEMOCRATS”
“PRESS CLUB+” ON AIR OF “HRAZDAN” TV
“E-CLUB” CYCLE: INTERNET AND SPACE
AMENDMENTS’ PACKAGE TO BROADCAST LEGISLATION SUBMITTED INTO CIRCULATION AT
RA NA
NCTR RELEASED METHODOLOGY OF MONITORING ON ENSURING EQUAL CONDITIONS FOR ALL
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS’ PARTICIPANTS BY BROADCAST MEDIA
CEC REVISED JOURNALISTS’ ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
PROVISIONS REGULATING ACTIVITIES OF MEDIA DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY ADOPTED
NCTR RESPONDED TO YPC QUERY ABOUT LITIGATIONS WITH ITS INVOLVEMENT
COURT RENDERED A RULING IN FAVOR OF GEGHARQUNIQ GOVERNOR
FOI CENTER SUIT VERSUS CREDIT COMPANY REVOKED
“ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES IN MEDIA” ONLINE NEWSLETTER
YPC INTERIM REPORT ON MONITORING ARMENIAN BROADCAST MEDIA AHEAD OF
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (MARCH 1-10, 2012)
On March 20 at Urbat Club YPC presented the Interim Report (March 1-10,
2012) on Monitoring Armenian Broadcast Media ahead of Elections to RA
National Assembly. The monitoring of Armenian broadcast media coverage of
elections to RA National Assembly in 2012 is implemented by Yerevan Press
Club. The support to this research is provided by OSCE Office in Yerevan in
frames of the “Empowering Armenian Civil Society to Monitor Electoral
Processes” project, financed by the European Union. The monitoring is
conducted within two stages: the first stage covers the period of March
1-31, 2012 (ahead of pre-election promotion); the second stage covers the
period of April 8 – May 4, 2012 (pre-election promotion).
Current phase of the monitoring, which has started since March 1, 2012,
includes the period preceding the official pre-election promotion. Yerevan
Press Club is planning to present interim reports once in every ten days.
THE MONITORING included 6 national TV channels – First Channel of the Public
Television of Armenia (H1), “Armenia”, “Yerkir Media”, “Kentron”, Second
Armenian TV Channel (H2), “Shant”; two Yerevan TV channels – “Shoghakat”
(this channel was chosen because it is a part of Public TV and Radio Company
and as such has a special mission) and “ArmNews” (which is the only
broadcaster in Armenia which has a specific license of a news channel); as
well as Public Radio of Armenia. Main editions of news programs and main
current affairs/discussion programs broadcast at the evening airtime
(18.00-01.00) of the above-mentioned TV and radio channels were studied.
The object of the monitoring were pieces, which included references to those
13 political parties and movements, which either have expressed their
intention to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, or
currently hold an active position in the political life of the country.
Connotations of the references to this parties/movements as well as the
airtime allocated to them by the monitored media were also recorded. (See
the monitoring methodology in YPC Interim Report, Chapter “General
Information on Monitoring”, at in “Studies” section.)
THROUGHOUT THE FIRST TEN DAYS of March 2012, compared to the results of the
preliminary monitoring conducted by YPC in November-December 2011, a
tendency towards more balanced distribution of attention, paid by the
majority of broadcasters studied to various political forces, and towards
reduction of the share of connotational references was observed. The media
interest regarding political developments in the run-up to the elections
became more active, though there were also certain exceptions in this regard
(which will be presented further).
WITHIN THE PERIOD covered by this interim report the largest amount of
attention to internal political life was given by “Kentron” TV channel, both
in terms of the frequency of references to parties and of the volume of
airtime allocated to them (hereafter for the quantitative results of the
monitoring see the YPC Interim Report tables at in “Studies”
section). In terms of airtime volume, allocated to political forces,
“Kentron” was followed by Second Armenian TV Channel, which significantly
increased its coverage of pre-electoral processes, as compared with the last
months of 2011, and by “Yerkir Media”. In terms of the frequency of
references “Kentron” was immediately followed by Public Radio of Armenia.
“Shoghakat” throughout the period of study remained loyal to its profile – a
TV channel of spiritual and cultural orientation. There were no references
to political parties/movements within its programs studied.
Based on the news and discussion programs of the remaining 8 broadcasters,
“Shant” TV channel demonstrated the least interest to pre-election
processes. In terms of both frequency and volume of references to political
forces this channel was less active than it had been since November 16 to
December 15, 2011, when YPC carried out preliminary monitoring (the report
for that period is available at YPC website in “Studies” section,
). Holding a license of the same type
(general profile), in its programs of the same nature “Shant” gave 15 times
less airtime to political forces than “Kentron”, and 11 times less than
Second Armenian TV Channel and “Yerkir Media”. According to the programs
studied, “ArmNews” and PTA First Channel were relatively passive in their
coverage of political parties/movements, with the coverage of First Channel
remaining on approximately the same level as in November-December 2011.
IN TERMS OF THE CUMULATIVE INDICATORS of all 9 channels studied, compared to
the period of preliminary monitoring, in the first ten days of March the
interest towards political forces grew approximately twice. The largest
amount of media attention was allocated to five parliamentary parties –
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Armenian Revolutionary Federation
“Dashnaktsutiun”, “Bargavach Hayastan”/”Prosperous Armenia”,
“Zharangutiun”/”Heritage”, “Orinats Yerkir”, as well as the Armenian
National Congress (ANC). The latter, though it lagged behind “the
parliamentary five” in terms of volume of coverage, was ahead of one of the
parliamentary parties – “Orinats Yerkir” in terms of frequency of
references. Nevertheless, compared to the last months of 2011, at this stage
the advantage of RPA was not so obvious. Beside “the big six”, quite
extensive coverage was received by the “Free Democrats” and United Labour
Party. At the same time, the coverage of the “Free Democrats” was almost
completely focused on the perspective of forming an electoral bloc with the
“Heritage” party, and absolutely all references to United Labour Party
concerned its merger with “Prosperous Armenia”. A relatively large airtime
volume was allocated to the Democratic Party of Armenia, however, in fact
the party received all of its airtime because the DPA leader Aram Sargsyan
was a guest of the “Urvagits” program of “Kentron” TV channel.
Republican Party was the undisputed leader in terms of media attention on
PTA First Channel, “ArmNews” and “Armenia”, and had a more moderate
advantage on Second Armenian TV Channel, Public Radio and “Shant”. On the
above-mentioned channels no party had a clear second place.
On a given channel, the biggest gap between the leading party and all others
was recorded on “Yerkir Media”, where ARF “Dashnaktsutiun” received almost 6
times more airtime than RPA, which had the second place. The gap between
“Dashnaktsutiun” and all other parties was even larger. Smaller, but still
significant gap between the leading party and all other parties was recorded
on “Kentron”, where the leader was “Prosperous Armenia”. In terms of
frequency of references here, as on “Yerkir Media”, the Republican Party was
the second, but in terms of airtime volume the RPA was preceded by
Democratic Party of Armenia (as a result of the previously mentioned
participation of its leader in “Urvagits”), “Heritage” and United Labour
Party (because of interest to its merger with “Prosperous Armenia”).
The most balanced attention to political forces within the studied period
was demonstrated by Public Radio of Armenia and Second Armenia TV Channel.
At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that according to the
indicators, which describe the media interest towards certain political
forces, ten days is not an enough time period for making far-reaching
conclusions.
AS MENTIONED in the beginning of the report, during the first ten days of
March there was a positive tendency of reduction of the amount of
connotational references to parties/movements, which are potential
participants of the electoral process: 7.2% of the cumulative amount of
references on all channels monitored against the 9.6% recorded during the
preliminary monitoring (November 16 – December 15, 2011). At the same time,
the number of positive references was four times higher than the number of
negative ones: this might have been a cause for optimism, however out of 30
positive references, recorded in all programs studied, 29 were addressed to
the two largest parties of the ruling coalition – RPA and “Prosperous
Armenia”, while 6 out of 8 negative references were addressed to opposition
ANC.
In comparison with preliminary monitoring results, “Shant” progressed from
the highest indicator of connotations (28.3%) among all channels studied
toward the lowest (no connotational references at all). Had this channel
demonstrated a higher and more balanced (in terms of volume and frequency)
interest towards political parties in the first ten days of March, it would
have been possible to speak about a case of exemplary coverage.
The highest share of connotational references was recorded on “Kentron”
(12%): 8 out of 10 positive references on that channel were addressed to
“Prosperous Armenia”. According to this indicator, the places on the scale
between “Shant” and “Kentron” were distributed in the following way: Public
Radio (3.5%), Second Armenian TV Channel (4.4%), “Yerkir Media” (5.5%),
“ArmNews” (7%), “Armenia” (8.2%), PTA First Channel (11.1%). At the same
time, all connotational references – exclusively positive – on the last
three channels (4 on “ArmNews”, 6 on “Armenia” and 5 on First Channel) were
addressed to Republican Party. In most cases these were statements by other
political forces about their support of RPA for the upcoming elections, as
well as praise addressed to the party in the context of the RPA congress,
which took place on March 10. No party received more than one connotational
reference in the studied programs of “Yerkir Media” and Public Radio.
Meanwhile, in case of “Yerkir Media”, “Dashnaktsutiun” only once received a
positive reference. This suggests that on this channel bias towards
“Dashnaktsutiun” is reflected mostly in terms of the volume of coverage, but
not in terms of evaluations.
THE FIRST TEN DAYS of March 2012 were also different in positive sense from
the period of preliminary monitoring of November 16 – December 15, 2011 in
one more respect: this time the monitors did not record on any of the
studied channels pieces that could be classified as hidden political
promotion. The reduction of the share of connotational references can be
explained by this factor as well.
The full YPC Interim Report (March 1-10, 2012) is available at
in “Studies” section.
The video on YPC Interim Report’s presentation, made by “A1+” TV company on
March 20, 2012, watch here
“FACE OF THE COUNTRY” – PRE-ELECTION DEBATES BETWEEN DPA AND “FREE
DEMOCRATS”
On March 22 the “Yerkri Demky” (“Face of the Country”) cycle of pre-election
debates went on the evening air of “Yerkir Media” TV company. The cycle is
produced by Yerevan Press Club under “Alternative Resources in Media”
project, supported by USAID.
The guests of talk show host YPC President Boris Navasardian were Jasmina
Ghevondian, Board member of Democratic Party of Armenia, and Armen
Arakelian, Board member of “Free Democrats” party. The participants
discussed the issues of healthcare system, the inclusion of civil society
members in parties’/blocs’ electoral lists, the foreign policy preferences
of DPA and “Free Democrats”, their possible membering of parliamentary
coalitions in case of being elected to RA National Assembly (ballot will
take place on May 6, 2012).
The next “Face of the Country” will be aired on “Yerkir Media” on Thursday,
March 29 at 18.15 (rerun – on Monday, April 2 at 16.15).
Watch the “Face of the Country” of March 22, 2012 here
“PRESS CLUB+” ON AIR OF “HRAZDAN” TV
In the evening of March 15 another talk show of “Press Club+” cycle went
live on “Hrazdan” TV company. The theme of the program was the coverage of
electoral processes in new media. The “Press Club+” is produced by Yerevan
Press Club in cooperation with regional TV companies under “Alternative
Resources in Media” project, supported by USAID. Upcoming parliamentary
elections were also discussed at the meeting with journalistic community,
NGO and political party representatives, held on the same day in Hrazdan.
Watch “Press Club+” of March 15, 2012 here
“E-CLUB” CYCLE: INTERNET AND SPACE
On March 20 another program of “E-Club” weekly cycle went on the online
broadcast of “A1+” TV company (). The “E-Club” is produced by
Yerevan Press Club in cooperation with “A1+” TV under “Alternative Resources
in Media” project, supported by USAID.
The program was devoted to Internet resources about space. Particularly, the
programs of Google Sky, Microsoft Worldwide Telescope, NASA website
() were presented. One of the plots told about the portable
digital planetarium, opened in Yerevan. The news bloc of “E-Club” informed
that while Apple head Steve Wozniak with his wife is in line at a store to
buy an iPad3, hackers have already found a way to jailbreak it. The ratings
of online sources and headlines of last week were presented by astrologist
Alina Dertsian. The web sources’ top list was headed by the
, while the most popular topic was the
protest actions to hinder cutting down of trees and construction at the
Mashtots Avenue park of Yerevan.
The next “E-Club” will be aired on “A1+” on Tuesday, March 27 at 15.50
(rerun – on Thursday, March 29 at 18.20).
AMENDMENTS’ PACKAGE TO BROADCAST LEGISLATION SUBMITTED INTO CIRCULATION AT
RA NA
The amendments’ package to RA Law “On Television and Radio” was submitted to
circulation at RA National Assembly. As it has been reported, the draft law
“On Introducing Amendments and Supplements to RA Law ‘On Television and
Radio'” was developed by the working group on reforming the broadcast
legislation, regulating the process of switching from analogue to digital
broadcast in Armenia, formed by the RA Human Rights Defender in 2010. On May
31, 2011 the document was submitted to the parliament, and the working group
stopped its activities. On June 15, 2011 the heads of the three media
NGO-members of the group, Nouneh Sarkissian, Managing Director of Internews,
YPC President Boris Navasardian and Arzuman Harutiunian, President of
Audio-Visual Reporters Association, released a statement. The latter noted
that the version of the draft, presented to the parliament, is imperfect,
and the shutdown of the WG activities is premature: “The draft contains a
number of important clauses that were not properly addressed and still
require a thorough discussion and analysis. Suggestions and recommendations
provided by the experts, including the feedback from the Council of Europe
and OSCE, were not considered in full and completely. Such a situation
questions the initial key objective of our activities, which is to
contribute to the adoption of a perfectly worked out law by the RA National
Assembly.” The statement authors emphasized that they will continue their
activities over the improvement of the draft and they would submit it to the
RA National Assembly in a separate package. In this regard, the heads of the
three media NGOs addressed to the RA NA Standing Committee on Science,
Education, Culture, Youth and Sport requesting to postpone any possible
discussion on the draft. On November 4, 2011 the revised amendments to the
Broadcast Law were presented to the Standing Committee, where on December
15, 2011 the draft was discussed (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, December 9-15,
2011).
Yerevan Press Club will soon comment on the draft law submitted into
circulation.
NCTR RELEASED METHODOLOGY OF MONITORING ON ENSURING EQUAL CONDITIONS FOR ALL
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS’ PARTICIPANTS BY BROADCAST MEDIA
On March 16 National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) released the
methodology on monitoring the ensuring by Armenian TV and radio companies of
equal conditions for candidates and parties/blocs running in the election to
RA National Assembly by majoritarian or proportional systems. The NCTR
monitoring is implemented in compliance with RA Electoral Code. Results of
the monitoring and NCTR conclusions are to be published and presented to the
Central Electoral Commission on the 10th and 20th days of pre-election
promotion (e.g. on April 17 and 27, 2012), as well as two days before of the
announcement of the official ballot results (before May 11, 2012).
The methodology particularly envisages a scanning of the TV and radio
programs, study of information provided by broadcasters, received from
candidates/parties (blocs), state bodies, public and international
organizations, as well as analysis of media pieces on electoral legislation
violations by broadcasters.
During the monitoring of paid and free airtime, allocated to
candidates/parties (blocs) for pre-election promotion, NCTR will asses: the
invariability of tariffs, announced by broadcasters for political
advertising, throughout the whole official campaign; broadcasters’
compliance with the non-discrimination principle while allocating air and
time for broadcasting promotional materials of candidates/parties (blocs);
lawfulness of justifications for airtime denial of broadcasting promotional
materials.
NCTR will also track the broadcasters’ compliance with other legislative
provisions:
– the ban imposed on employees of TV and radio companies, registered as MP
candidates, to cover the electoral campaign or host any program;
– the obligation of unbiased and factual reporting on promotional events, as
well as the requirement to respect the principles of equality and
non-discrimination towards all candidates/parties (blocs) at all news and
current affair programs;
– during the pre-election promotion, while reporting on the activities of
candidates’, who hold political, discretionary, civil offices, respect the
provisions of Article 22 of RA Electoral Code that oblige these candidates
not to use the office to their advantage;
– providing equal conditions for airtime allotment to all candidates/parties
(blocs);
– ensuring journalistic impartiality at programs hosting candidates/parties
(blocs), or their representatives;
– the presence of promotional elements (reference to candidates/parties
(blocs), their activities, pre-election platforms, calls on voting “for” or
“against”, etc.), as well as demonstration of parties’ slogans and symbols
at programs not covering the elections (films, video clips, audio tapes,
commercial advertising, etc.);
– the compliance with legislative requirements while publishing/releasing
survey results on candidates/parties(blocs) ratings, including with the ban
on releasing exit poll results before the closure of electoral precincts;
– the prohibition of broadcasting promotional materials on the ballot day
and the day preceding it;
The full version of NCTR monitoring methodology is available in Armenian at
CEC REVISED JOURNALISTS’ ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
On March 15 at the session of RA Central Electoral Commission the
Journalists’ Accreditation Procedure at the CEC (approved on January 31,
2012) was amended. As it has been reported, on March 7 five journalistic
organizations, including YPC, released a statement calling CEC to revise
some provisions of the Procedure. Particularly, the media community was
concerned with the two reasons for denying or terminating accreditation,
prescribed in Articles 9 and 11 of the Procedure: if a journalist “has
disseminated untrue information about the activities of the electoral
commissions (official figures)” or “was condemned for premeditated crime and
his/her convictions are not expired or expunged” (see details in YPC Weekly
Newsletter, March 2-8, 2012).
At the March 15 session CEC held the above-mentioned provisions invalid. As
the CEC informed YPC, at the moment the new text of the Procedure is sent to
RA Ministry of Justice for official registration. At the same time, CEC
noted that none of the journalists was denied accreditation.
PROVISIONS REGULATING ACTIVITIES OF MEDIA DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY ADOPTED
On March 21 RA National Assembly approved the final package of the draft
laws “On Legal Regime of State of Emergency”, “On Introducing Supplements to
RA Code of Administrative Offences”, and “On Introducing A Supplement to ‘RA
NA Regulations'”. As it has been reported, the package, passed in first
hearing on March 1, specifically the draft “On Legal Regime of State of
Emergency” set as a measure of state of emergency “the restriction of
freedom of expression, particularly, a ban on some publications, programs in
media” (P.12, Art.7). The RA Code of Administrative Offences was suggested
to supplement with a new Article 182.2. Point 8 of this Article imposed a
fine in the amount of the 500-fold to 800-fold of a minimum wage for issuing
a banned publication/program during state of emergency (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, March 2-8, 2012).
YPC will return to the approved amendments after their official publication.
NCTR RESPONDED TO YPC QUERY ABOUT LITIGATIONS WITH ITS INVOLVEMENT
On March 16 Yerevan Press Club received the response of National Commission
on Television and Radio to its query of March 5 on provision of information
about two legal cases in which NCTR is involved.
One of the suits was lodged by NCTR against the founder of “ArpaInform”
regional TV company, “ArpaInform” LLC (Vayots Dzor). On December 22, 2011
NCTR had filed the RA Administrative Court of Vedi demanding to cancel the
broadcast license granted to “ArpaInform” LLC on January 10, 2011, since the
company has not been broadcasting throughout six months. The suit was
submitted to consideration on January 9, 2012 and was secured on February 6.
YPC demanded NCTR to inform whether the ruling was contested. The NCTR
letter noted that as of March 12 (date of response) “RA Administrative Court
of Appeal has not notified NCTR about any appeal”.
It should be noted that one of the points of Article 48 of RA Law “On
Television and Radio” binds NCTR to publish the full list of frequencies
“upon necessity, but at least once a year” and announce competitions for
free frequencies. Thus, once the court ruling on canceling the broadcast
license of “ArpaInform” enters into force, a competition for regional TV
channels of general profile in Vayots Dzor region must be announced.
The second suit was lodged versus NCTR by 14 students of Law Faculty of
Yerevan State University. The matter of the suit became the results of
monitoring some Armenian TV channels, implemented by the students in 2011.
The study had revealed violations of advertising legislation, particularly
by “Armenia” TV channel. The plaintiffs demanded to uphold the inaction of
NCTR as unlawful, oblige it to make an official warning to the “Armenia”
founder, “Armenia TV” CJSC, as well as prohibit the broadcasting of unfair
advertising. The suit was taken into consideration by RA Administrative
Court on May 18, 2011, hearings started on July 12, 2011. The ruling had to
be released on February 15, 2012, however YPC did not manage to get an
official information about it. In the request to NCTR, YPC demanded to
provide information on the substance of the ruling. As the NCTR response
stressed, as of March 12 “the Commission has not been duly notified about
the ruling rendered by RA Administrative Court”. NCTR also noted that the
issue of filing an appeal will be considered after receiving the court
ruling. Meanwhile, reportedly the suit has been secured.
COURT RENDERED A RULING IN FAVOR OF GEGHARQUNIQ GOVERNOR
On March 20 Gavar court of general jurisdiction of Gegharquniq region
partially secured the suit of Gegharquniq Governor Nver Poghosian versus
“Zhoghovurd” founder, “Editorial Office of ‘Zhoghovurd’ Daily” LLC, and
newspaper correspondent Anna Torosian. As it has been reported, Nver
Poghosian had contested the article “The Governor Took a Bribe”, published
in “Zhoghovurd” on October 7, 2011. The plaintiff demanded to refute the
information that discredited his honor and dignity, as well as to compensate
2,5 mln AMD (over $ 6,500): 2 mln – as a moral damage compensation, and
500,000 – court costs. The hearings on the case started on November 17,
2011. On November 28, 2011 founder of “Zhoghovurd” lodged a counter-suit on
the protection of honor, dignity and business reputation, demanding the
Governor to apologize and compensate the moral loss with 1 luma, the
smallest Armenian currency (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, November 25 –
December 1, 2011).
At the March 20 session court revoked the counter-suit and partially secured
Nver Poghosian’s suit. The court obliged “Zhoghovurd” to publish a
refutation, abridging the amount of financial claims to 200,000 AMD (by
100,000 from each – the moral loss and court expenses).
FOI CENTER SUIT VERSUS CREDIT COMPANY REVOKED
On March 15 court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash
administrative districts of Yerevan revoked the suit of Freedom of
Information Center versus universal credit company “Small and Medium
Investments” CJSC (“SMB Investments”). As it has been reported, on December
23, 2011 FOI Center went to law, when the “SMB Investments” denied providing
full information on legal and physical entities that received loans from
state funds, alleging a commercial secret. The plaintiff demanded to bind
the respondent with providing the requested information fully and imposing a
fine on the head of “SMB Investments” in the amount of 50,000 AMD (see
details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 2-8, 2012).
FOI Center announced about its intention to appeal the court ruling.
“ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES IN MEDIA” ONLINE NEWSLETTER
On March 16 another issue of the online newsletter of “Alternative Resources
in Media” project was released. The program is jointly implemented by
Internews Network (USA), Eurasia Partnership Foundation, Yerevan Press Club
and Internews Media Support public organization with the assistance of
USAID. Launched in 2010, the four-year project aims at enhancing and
improving access to pluralistic and unbiased information in Armenia through
traditional and alternative media using new information technologies.
The sixth issue of the newsletter introduces to the activities administered
within the “Alternative Resources in Media” project
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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
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From: Baghdasarian