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THEY MAY PROVE SERGE SARGSYAN

Politics

Serge Sargsyan called the monitoring results of Yerevan Press Club (YPC) into question in the interview with Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus.

We should remind that the CoE Secretary General Terry Davis also expressed his contemplations in this regard during the meeting with the RA Prime Minister. “When a European official expresses his opinion on partial coverage of mass media, we should take into consideration that this opinion is based on non-objective materials”, noted Serge Sargsyan.

Chairman of YPC Boris Navasardyan ensured “A1+” that they could account for each number presented by them, “provide records, so that they will study and make sure that our numbers are absolutely correct”. Serge Sargsyan also proposed: “If that structure or its leader is interested in the real situation, he may hire a specialized organization to implement a thorough monitoring of electronic and printed media. In that case no problems will occur in regard with partiality”.

YPC has been engaged in the monitoring of mass media during the election period since 1995. “We collaborate with international structures in all stages and our assessments and observations always concur. We would be delighted if a famous structure, which is specialized in the monitoring of election’s coverage, also participated in this monitoring and then we would compare our and their facts, and I think you would not find any deviations”, says Boris Navasardyan.

By the way, YPC’s methods to conduct monitoring are based on the internationally accepted methods. Navasardyan principally admits Serge Sargsyan’s idea to monitor printed media: “The more mass media are monitored, the better for us, but that is a matter of resources, if had enough means we would do that definitely”.

But Mr Navasardyan pointed out a principle nuance: “We should never compare the works of broadcasted and printed mass media. Broadcasted media uses public reserve - frequency, their responsibility to the public is greater and that is way both European and our legislation differentiates the political responsibility that the broadcasted and printed media have. Printed media shows only the picture, while the broadcasted media show how the state honors its obligations and follows demands of the legislation, which regulates the activities of broadcasted media, particularly before elections”.

Besides, TV has a great influence as compared with printed media, taking into account the consumers. Boris Navasardyan also mentions that in some countries printed media also has great influence, however their monitoring results cannot serve as basis for the state to complain against them, since they are private companies, thus they decide how to cover the political life.