Journalistic organizations condemn authorities` disproportionate use  of force against bloggers

ArmInfo. Several journalistic organizations have called unacceptable and condemned the  disproportionate use of force by authorities, involving the National  Security Service, against Vazgen Saghatelyan and Narek Samsonyan,  co-authors and hosts of the Imnemnimi podcast, as well as journalists  from the Antifake fact-checking and reporting website, as noted in a  statement released by the Yerevan Press Club.

The statement emphasizes that these actions are inconsistent with a  state striving for democracy. "At the same time, we condemn blasphemy  and insults in the public sphere, particularly on social media and in  the media. This harmful phenomenon has become widespread in recent  years and often goes unpunished, further deepening the division and  polarization of society, sowing intolerance and depravity," the  statement continued.

It is noted that insults, incitement to hatred, and threats must be  assessed legally, as they are incompatible with basic norms. In this  regard, the journalistic organizations demanded that law enforcement  agencies refrain from selectively prosecuting those accused of  insults and slander, and conduct a comprehensive and objective  investigation of the case, regularly informing the public of its  progress and results. "We also demand that government bodies and all  political forces, including their affiliated media, to refrain from  using language in public speeches that goes beyond the bounds of  decency and demonstrate tolerance and restraint when discussing  socially significant topics," the statement concluded. The statement  was signed by the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, Yerevan  Press Club, Center for Media Initiatives,  Asparez Journalists' Club,   Institute for Multilateral Information - Armenia, Public Journalism  Club, Journalists for the Future NGO, and Journalists for Human  Rights NGO.