On February 9 “Aravot” daily published a report “Ombudsman Advised Not to Worry”
that quoted the RA Human Rights Defender Armen Harutiunian, who had previously
stated at “Hayeli” (“Mirror”) Club that he was not satisfied with the coverage
of the First Channel of the Public Television of Armenia. “In many cases, the
Public Television seems to become one of the poles and through its journalists
it responds to this or that politician, whereas it must only report, and the
public itself will decide what is objective”, the ombudsman said in particular.
The piece further quotes the Chairman of the Public TV and Radio Company Council
Alexan Harutiunian, saying to “Aravot”: “And he apparently represents the other
party, does he? No need to worry so much, my dear boy, this will pass, too.”
In the next issue of “Aravot” (February 12, 2008) Armen Harutiunian responded
to the Chairman of PTRC Council: “Alexan Harutiunian has, in fact, accepted
my criticism and has indirectly recognized himself to be one of the poles, doing
a disservice. I am following my constitutional duty, being guided by common
sense, and regardless of emotional statements of Alexan Harutiunian, should
the need arise, I will defend his rights, too.”
The dialogue by correspondence on “Aravot” pages continued the next day, on
February 13. In reply to the words of Armen Harutiunian Alexan Harutiunian noted:
“God forbid that I or someone else should need his defense. His defense has
not helped anyone to this day. I don’t need bag-of-wind defenders.”
