22 August 2006
More Diversity Needed in Armenia's Broadcast Sector: OSCE
22 August 2006
Armenia's broadcasting sector needs to be more diversified in order for a wider range of different voices and views to be heard by the public, a report by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has recommended.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti said in a report that broadcast media outlets are still predominantly pro-government, despite the transformation of state television into a public-service broadcaster and the existence of a number of private channels.
"In order for Armenia to continue the process of media democratisation, the broadcasting sector needs to reflect diversity of opinion and ... represent the political and social diversity of the country," Haraszti said.
The report offers recommendations for expanding media freedom in the country.
Haraszti noted that while Armenia's print media sector is pluralistic and provides diverse and critical news coverage, readership is small. The highest daily circulation of any publication is 3-4,000 copies.
However, on media reform, Haraszti said Armenia had made significant progress, including the adoption of a progressive Freedom of Information Law.
He also noted that there have been very few cases of violence against journalists since 2005, and no libel cases have been launched against the media for several years.
Visit: http://www.osce.org/documents/rfm/2006/07/20007_en.pdf
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