PREPARED STATEMENT BY WILLIAM M. CANTER
Support A1+!February 28, 2003
Yerevan, Armenia
My name is William M. Canter and I am the Chief of Party here at Internews Armenia. I am going to read a prepared statement. Copies of this statement are available to you in this room. I will not be entertaining any questions at this time.
I am here today to address the members of the mass media and other concerned parties in Armenia about our disappointment and frustration with the lack of ability that you have had to do your jobs as responsible, objective and balanced professional journalists.
We have all heard of the alleged incidents regarding the harassment of the media that took place during the pre-election campaign and on including Election Day. Unfortunately, it is the lack of information, to the public, that brings us here today.
Let me be very clear. Internews decries the use of any violence or harassment and we are especially troubled when it is directed to members of the media. Recent incidents surrounding the election have once again called our attention to the ongoing problems facing journalists. These incidents are a serious setback to the progress of civil society in Armenia. I’m deeply concerned that the development of a free, unbiased and objective media is being gravely hindered.
Internews wants to express its continued disappointment with regard to these actions and how they combine with an overwhelming movement in Armenia to hinder accredited, professional journalists from doing their jobs. The presence of such pressures only serves to enhance the existing atmosphere of fear in the society, increases self-censorship in the mass media and hampers the dissemination of free and unbiased information, which can only lead to less than accurate, unbalanced and subjective reporting.
The media’s role in a developing nation is to offer free and unfettered access to information. These alleged attacks and other related issues that have been reported during the Presidential Election campaign are cause for deep apprehension by Internews. Our mission in Armenia is to strengthen independent media and work to allow all journalists an editorial environment that encourages the professional, objective and honest dissemination of information.
The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of the US Agency for International Development, the U.S. Government or any other funding partners of Internews Armenia.
