INITIATIVES

Mass media and freedom of speech

• Rule of Law
• Human Rights
• Mass media and freedom of speech
• Information and communication technologies
• Education, Science, Culture
• Public Health, Environmental Protection
• CURRENT PROJECTS

MASS MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH

The mission of the Partnership for Open Society in the sphere of media and freedom of speech is to facilitate development of independent and quality media and availability of objective and topical information to the public.

This can be accomplished through three main directions:

1. Shape a demand for quality information that would meet the societal needs and interests and foster democratic development of the country

• In view of the present political dependence of mass media, search for alternative ways to form a demand for objective media in the information market that would respond to broad societal interests;
• Implement activities aimed at helping the media players to make the utmost of the available market resources as independent business actors; streamline the efforts and resources of donor agencies towards stimulation of publications and broadcasts that meet societal needs and quality media coverage standards;
• Pay special attention to plurality of opinion in TV broadcasting; support the appearance of independent broadcasters in the market.

2. Improve media-related legislation, its harmonization with international standards and international commitments undertaken by Armenia

• Radical improvement of the RA Law "On Television and Radio", in particular, strengthened guarantees of independence of regulatory bodies in broadcasting;
• Improvement of the Law "On Mass Communication";
• Insurance of adequate implementation of the Law "On Freedom of Information";
• Decriminalization of libel and insult.

3. Introduction of media self-regulation principles

• Liberalization of legislation in the field of information along with elimination and prevention of the conflicts in the field through following unified norms of professional conduct and training of the journalist community;
• Support the elaboration and adoption of Code of Ethics for journalists by mass media organizations and journalist associations, as well as formation of mechanisms and structures supporting the implementation of self-regulation principles in the sphere of mass media.