“Prospects of Media Self-Regulation and Activities in the Sphere” – 13-14 December 2008, Tsaghkadzor (Armenia), seminar, organized by Yerevan Press Club with the support of Open Society Institute. Participants (25 in number) included members of Media Ethics Observatory, heads of media who backed the YPC initiative to form a self-regulation system. Main issues discussed: the trends of media accountability system development in Europe; the activities of Media Ethics Observatory in 2008; the findings of the survey administered by YPC to determine the adequacy of Armenian TV companies’ work to the information demands of their audience; the professional ethics of Armenian media when covering foreign affairs and regional problems. Within the seminar meetings with the RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian and the RA Human Rights Defender Armen Harutiunian were held.
“Coverage of Problems of Public Importance during the 2008 Elections to the Local Self-Administration Bodies in Armenia” – October 16-18, 2008, Aghveran (Armenia), seminar, organized by Yerevan Press Club with the support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Participants (25 in number) represented media and journalistic associations of Armenia. Main issues discussed: local self-administration institute in political structure of the country; cooperation of media and civil society during the elections of local self-administration bodies; Armenian print media coverage on issues of public concern during the elections of local self-administration bodies; Armenian broadcast media coverage on issues of public concern during the elections of local self-administration bodies; electoral legislation and the practice of election coverage; specifics and prospects of regional media.
Meeting of Heads of Media, Membering in Self-Regulation Initiative – October 18-19, 2008, Aghveran (Armenia). The event was organized by Yerevan Press Club with the support of Open Society Institute. Participants (25 in number) included heads of media and NGOs who joined the self-regulation initiative, members of Media Ethics Observatory. Main issues discussed: activities of Media Ethics Observatory; precedents on violations of professional ethics; organizational issues.
“Media Diversity in Armenia” – July 8, 2008, Yerevan, conference, organized by Yerevan Press Club, Council of Europe and OSCE. Participants (80 in number) represented media, professional associations, state agencies, political parties of Armenia, international organizations and diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia. Main subjects discussed: CE standards, Armenia’s implementation of the requirements of the recent PACE Resolutions regarding media freedom and diversity; priorities of reforming media legislation, the role of broadcasting regulation in ensuring diversity of opinion; issues faced by media owners, professional communities, journalists to achieve real diversity in broadcasting, relations of media owners, journalists and authorities. Upon the completion of the conference its organizers released their Conclusions.
“Coverage of Issues of Public Concern during Presidential Elections 2008” – May 28-30, 2008, Aghveran (Armenia), seminar, organized by Yerevan Press Club with the support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Participants (24 in number) represented media and journalistic associations of Armenia. Main issues discussed: findings of monitoring the broadcast media coverage of presidential elections 2008; issues of public concern in the pre-election rhetoric’s of RA presidency candidates; amendments to media legislation and their influence on the election campaign coverage; presidential elections in blogs; the media coverage of domestic political issues during and after the elections; coverage of foreign policy issues during election campaign.
Meeting of Heads of Media, Membering in Self-Regulation Initiative – May 27-28, 2008, Aghveran (Armenia). The event was held by Yerevan Press Club with the support of Open Society Institute. Participants (30 in number) included heads, representatives of media who joined the self-regulation initiative, members of Media Ethics Observatory. Main issues discussed: activities of Media Ethics Observatory; proposals on amending the Code of Conduct of Media Representatives, rotating the MEO; organization issues.
