On January 9, 2008 the court of primary jurisdiction of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun
communities of Yerevan announced the ruling on the suit of Armenian National
Movement (ANM) versus “Shant” TV company. As it has been reported, the plaintiff
demanded that the TV company refute the information discrediting to the party
that was communicated on November 30, 2007 on the evening “Horizon” newscast
of “Shant” TV channel. The newscast reported an anonymous phone call to the
newsroom with threats to explode the TV company if it aired libel on the First
President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosian once again. The information had also
a comment from the program host: “We condemn any terrorist step, any threat
– whether from ANM or any other political force.” In the opinion of the plaintiff,
in “Shant” communication the anonymous phone threat was unduly linked to ANM,
which discredited the reputation and dignity of the party and its members. The
court hearing started on December 13, 2007 (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter,
December 14-20, 2007).
At the session of January 9 the suit of ANM was refused. In the opinion of
the court, the communication of “Shant” TV company contained no elements discrediting
to ANM.
