Today, the Office of the Human Rights
Defender recorded the public information on the visits of police officers to the
5 TV Channel and ArmNews TV companies’ offices. According to the information,
the journalist’s failure to wear masks during the broadcast and non-compliance
with the Commandant’s requirements was the reason for the visit.
Afterwards, the competent representatives
of the media companies applied to the Human Rights Defender and informed that
administrative proceedings were initiated against the journalists for the failure
to wear a mask. According to the media companies, who had addressed complaints
to the Human Rights Defender, the actions of the Police did not derive from
legal requirements and the Commandant’s decision: hence, the initiated
administrative proceedings were not lawful. They also informed that several
days ago, the National Commission of Television and Radio (Commission)
expressed a position according to which there was no requirement for wearing a
mask during the broadcast.
The Human Rights Defender’s Office also
recorded the public post of the president of the National Commission of
Television and Radio with regard to the visit of police officers to the
mentioned media companies today, as well as the relevant statements issued by those
media.
In the view of the above mentioned, the
necessary measures will be undertaken within the procedure initiated by the
Human Rights Defender to clarify the described issues.
Considering the important role of the
National Commission of Television and Radio in the field of mass media, as well
as the cooperation between the Human Rights Defender and the Commission, the
necessary discussions will also be initiated with the Commission.
The Human Rights Defender will request
clarifications from the RA Police with regard to the initiated procedures and
actions carried out in the mentioned media offices.
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