Journalistic organizations demand  repeal of decision aimed at  restricting journalists` work in  NA building

ArmInfo. Eight journalistic organizations in Armenia have demanded that the  leadership of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia repeal  the decision aimed at restricting the work of journalists within the  parliament building.

The statement issued by these journalistic organizations notes that  on the eve of the newly convened 9th National Assembly of the  Republic of Armenia, NA Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, acting as NA  Speaker, signed a resolution titled "On Approving the Current Safety  Rules on the Grounds and in the NA Building," which also regulates  the activities of media representatives within parliament.

The document, characterized by vague wording and unacceptable  restrictions, has immediately raised concerns within journalistic  circles. "In essence, these new rules continue and further tighten  the restrictions introduced under the previous decision adopted on  February 12, 2019, which were formulated exactly five years ago  alongside the amendments and additions included in Appendix 1 of that  document. Let us recall that those measures imposed unprecedented  restrictions on the movement and activities of journalists in the  history of the Armenian parliament. Furthermore, it remains deeply  puzzling that neither then nor now were these decisions discussed  with media outlets and journalistic non-governmental organizations.  Rather than detailing an exhaustive comparison between the old and  new rules at this stage, we focus on several key provisions in the  latest decision that directly impact the media," the statement reads.

"For instance, paragraph 1.6 raises serious concerns because, in  addition to imposing territorial restrictions on professional  activities, it stipulates that "accredited journalists may attend  committee meetings with the permission of the committee  chairpersons." Additionally, these journalists must be pre-registered  on a list submitted to the Secretary General of the National Assembly  at least two hours before the session begins, creating wide latitude  for arbitrary decisions by committee chairs. Similarly, paragraph  6.16 specifies that "persons included in the list provided by the  Secretary General of the National Assembly have the right to be in  the boxes of the session hall during open sessions," meaning that  already accredited journalists must undergo an additional listing  process simply to enter and work in the press gallery. Why and on  what frequency?"

Furthermore, the journalistic community finds it unacceptable that  the National Assembly prohibits video recording or photographing  State Security Service personnel while they are performing their  official duties.  This provision has previously drawn criticism from  the Council for the Settlement of Information Disputes:  its broad  and vague wording fails to properly balance the public's right to  information against the official duties and privacy rights of  security personnel, rendering the provision unlawful in the view of  legal experts. "Recalling numerous incidents during the 8th  Parliament—where tensions flared, altercations broke out among  deputies, and security officers rushed into the press gallery to  demand that journalists stop filming and evacuate—makes the purpose  of this ban entirely clear. However, such public scenes are not  unprecedented, and the public maintains the full right to witness the  conduct and work style of every elected deputy," the statement reads.

In light of these issues, journalistic organizations emphasize that  these and several other problematic provisions contradict the  guarantees of freedom of speech and media operations enshrined in the  Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the Law on Mass Media, and  international treaties ratified by Armenia.

"Consequently, we demand that the leadership of the National Assembly  suspend the provisions of the decision 'On Approving Security Rules  on the Territory and in the Building of the Residence of the National  Assembly' that pertain to media representatives, and initiate  transparent discussions with media outlets, journalistic NGOs, and  other stakeholders to find mutually acceptable solutions," concludes  the statement, signed by the Committee to Protect Freedom of  Expression, the Yerevan Press Club, the Media Initiatives Center, the  Multilateral Information Institute - Armenia, the Asparez  Journalists' Club, the Public Journalism Club, the Journalists for  the Future NGO, and the Journalists for Human Rights NGO.