Journalistic organizations urging Armenian government to suspend  establishment of  "Public Beneficial Media Environment" Fund

ArmInfo.  A group of journalistic organizations have issued a statement urging that the Armenian government temporarily suspend the implementation of the decision made on April 17 to establish the "Public Beneficial Media Environment" Fund and approve the Fund's Charter. They also called for a review of the approaches underlying it.

The statement from 9 non-governmental journalistic organizations,  received by ArmInfo, also calls on the government to initiate  discussions with stakeholders to assess the validity and  appropriateness of this decision; to develop conceptual approaches  and principles for the overall development of the media sphere and to  implement state support for these purposes. The statement recalls  that on April 17, the Armenian government made a decision to  establish a fund named "Public Beneficial Media Environment". The  fund will provide grants to broadcasters licensed to use a slot in a  public multiplex for creating socially beneficial content (cultural,  educational, training, scientific, children's, sports and other  audiovisual programs).

In this vein, journalistic organizations considered it necessary to  remind authorities that several years ago, discussions had taken   place between their representatives and the heads of journalistic  public organizations regarding the provision of state support to the  media and the establishment of a permanent fund for these purposes.

It was also mentioned that in 2022, ten journalistic organizations  reached an agreement with the legislative and executive authorities  that no legislative initiative or decision concerning the media  sphere would be implemented without discussion and cooperation with  professional public organizations. As a result, a memorandum was  signed. The decision to create the Public beneficial Media  Environment Fund, as well as the legislative provisions on the  formation of an industry committee, were to become important  components of state policy in the media sphere and the outcome of  modern conceptual approaches. These approaches imply inclusive  processes in accordance with global trends and the exclusion of  selectivity between technological platforms. 

In both cases, the initiatives are directed solely towards television  companies that have a license to broadcast in a public multiplex. We  appreciate the state's willingness to promote the widespread  dissemination of socially beneficial content and provide support for  these purposes, especially in the context of a sharp reduction in US  international aid. However, considering the ongoing changes in  audience consumer preferences, all Armenian media outlets should be  granted the right to use the fund's opportunities," the NGOs stated.  The statement was signed by the Committee to Protect Freedom of  Expression, the Yerevan Press Club, the Media Initiatives Center, the  Multilateral Information Institute - Armenia, the Public Journalism  Club, the "Asparez"  Journalists' Club, the "Journalists for the  Future" NGO, the  "Journalists for Human Rights" NGO and the Goris  Press Club.