Negative reports of local mass media impede government's reforms and work, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said at the first international conference "Open Government Partnership - Armenia" in Yerevan, Friday.
He said that Mass Media cover the government activity in negative colors constantly reporting of embezzlement of the budget funds without any facts.
"The public perceives sensational news easily, so Mass Media do not filter information. As a result, negative reports flood the public. This leads to distrust and complaints in public and impedes reforms. He said that statesmen should dispute slander and misreports in the court. "However, it is not practiced in the country, because it may be perceived as pressure on mass media," he said.
Earlier this month the prime minister found himself in an 'offshore scandal'. The appeal to the Prosecutor's Office over an item published in Hetq.am discrediting him. The prime minister is discontented at the recent publication on hetq.am saying that WLISPERA HOLDINGS LIMITED, an offshore company registered in Cyprus has three equal shareholders - RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Primate of the Ararat Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan and Ashot Sukiasyan. WLISPERA (WHL) is directly connected to a case businessman Paylak Hayrapetyan's bankruptcy. The source published also a copy of the document allegedly confirming the given information. Tigran Sargsyan has
repeatedly said he has never registered any company in an offshore area and has not authorized anyone to do that on his behalf.