Kocharyan has to understand as well
Public and political figures must accept the fact that they are going to be criticized more than average citizens, former OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti reminded the "players" in an interview with "A1+".
In his words, he is aware that Armenia's former president Robert Kocharyan "has started using the Civil Code frequently to punish journalists for criticism."
According to him, when political figures start suing presses for criticism and demanding compensation for moral damage, "that is bad and against international standards." Mr. Haraszti says a press can only be sued for purposeful defamation and not a journalist's error; otherwise, according to him, that can become a threat to free press.
The former OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media touched upon the RA law "On Mass Media" and said it has to be improved.
After the end of his term, the former OSCE representative still follows up on the state of presses in the South Caucasus republics.
"The important thing that Armenian press lacks is that private presses are not economically strong. The number of copies is ridiculously low. I think the presses have to unite in order to be economically strong and ensure the plurality of opinions," said Miklos Haraszti.
Haraszti says online media can change the situation, but for that "they need to increase and empower themselves".
As far as the possibility of "A1+" to be back on air, Miklos Haraszti says it all depends on the activism of Armenian civil society and political parties, which must make the government accept international decisions and opinions from abroad.
"If the government lacks desire, it is up to the civil society and political forces to make the government maintain international standards," said Miklos Haraszti.
