'I prefer to be beaten up than to close the newspaper'
Editors-in-chief of "Aravot," "Yerkir" and "Zhamanak" dailies today met journalists to discuss the decriminalization of two articles and their consequences.
"Oligarchs have been given an opportunity to revenge on media, rather than restore their good name," chief editor of Yerevan-based "Aravot" daily, Aram Abrahamyan, said on Friday.
Editors of eight newspapers had earlier appealed to the Constitutional Court with a demand to recognize decriminalization of Criminal Code articles on defamation and offense as anti-constitutional.
It came after former and acting officials filed lawsuits against media following the decriminalization of CC Articles 135 and 136.
The editors find the size of fine envisaged by the Civil Code to be unacceptable.
"Our officials seem to have been waiting for the changes in the Criminal Code. If earlier, they beat editors or burnt down their cars for libel, today they sue them and demand large amounts of money in moral compensation. I have said many times that I prefer to be beaten up than to close the newspaper," said Zhamanak's Editor Arman Babajanyan.
The editors say the borders of libel and offense are not clearly defined which makes media extremely vulnerable. Even the Code of Ethics is unable to solve the issue.
