In the previous issue of YPC Weekly Newsletter the statement of Yerevan Press Club President Boris Navasardian was published. It was related to the piece aired by “Armenia”, “ArmNews”, “TV 5” TV companies, raising the issue of Armenian non-governmental organizations’ funding from abroad (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, February 3-9, 2006). On February 10 Helsinki Committee of Armenia also made a statement concerning distortion of the words by the Chairman of this organization, Avetik Ishkhanian, in the same piece.
Unfortunately, this story brought about a number of articles in press, which were discrediting the activity of Armenian NGOs as well as foreign and international organizations supporting them.
In the subsequent contacts between YPC and the heads of the mentioned TV companies, the latter noted that they never had any intention to present NGO activity in negative connotation, moreover, they highly appreciate the contribution of the civil society institutions in the development of democracy in Armenia. We will hope that this position will be reflected on the air of their TV channels.
