MEO Decision of the complaint of Anmar Gasparian versus “Aravot” and “Ankakh” newspapers
Background of the Issue: Citizen Anmar Gasparian had addressed the Media Ethics Observatory with a complaint versus “Aravot” daily, which had published the pieces “The Deadman Consented?” on August 4, 2010, “The Policemen Threaten the Babayans” on September 16, 2010, and versus “Ankakh” weekly, which had written an article on the same topic. Anmar Gasparian specifically noted that the contested pieces contained untrue information.
On December 22, 2010 MEO sent a letter to Anmar Gasparian, advising her to address directly to the newspapers and require to publish a refutation. The letter also stressed that MEO is ready to be a mediator in the case, and therefore needs additional information and explanations given by Anmar Gasparian. The later did not respond to the suggestion.
MEO Expert Judgment of September 11, 2010 on the complaint of the Head of “Cooperation for Democracy” Center Stepan Danielian versus “Aravot” daily
Background of the Issue: The subject of the complaint became the article “My Daughter Swore to Wash Up with My Blood”, published in “Aravot” on July 7, 2010 (Դիտորդ մարմնի 2010թ. սեպտեմբերի 11-ի փորձագիտական եզրակացությունը).
MEO Decision of the complaint of Ezidi’s National Union versus “Hraparak” daily
Background of the Issue: On August 27, 2010 Aziz Tamoyan, President of Ezidi’s National Union of Armenia, addressed the Media Ethics Observatory with a complaint on “Hraparak” daily, which had published a piece “The Secret Mania of Tamoyan or a Rape Attempt as Rib” on August 21, 2010. In the complaint the President of Ezidi’s National Union noted that the contested article contained untrue information.
MEO addressed a letter to the daily offering its mediation in the conflict (“Hraparak” is not a member of the media self-regulation initiative). The newspaper did not respond to the offer.
MEO Decision of July 21, 2010 on the complaint of Aghasi and Vardan Hambardzumian versus “Aravot” daily
Background of the Issue: On June 18, 2010 citizens Aghasi and Vardan Hambardzumian submitted a complaint to Media Ethics Observatory on “Aravot” daily, which had published a piece “A Story of One Heritage” on June 17, 2010. The complaint, particularly, noted that the abovementioned piece contained some untrue information.
Considering the complaint on July 21, 2010, MEO resolved that “Aravot” had not violated the Code of Conduct of Media Representatives, as the contested article was a refutation by the Head of the Notarial Chamber Alvard Petrosian on the article “Were Deprived of Heritage on the Fault of the Notary?”, published in “Aravot” on May 27, 2010. In its decision MEO referred to Article 8 of RA Law “On Mass Communication” which ensures the right of refutation and reply.
MEO Decision of the complaint of “Ecological Security and Democracy Development” NGO versus “Khustup TV”
Background of the Issue: On June 8, 2010 the “Ecological Security and Democracy Development” NGO of Kapan, Syuniq region, addressed Media Ethics Observatory requesting to render an expert judgment on the conformity of the conduct of the local “Khustup TV” company to the professional ethics. In his letter Rafael Asrian, the Head of the NGO, noted that in 2005 “Khustup TV” and “Dino Gold Mining” CJSC concluded a memorandum on cooperation, according to which the TV channel was to cover the activities of the gold mining company. The dissatisfaction of Rafael Asrian was stipulated by the nature of this coverage – one-sided and purely positive.
MEO addressed a letter to the TV company, offering its mediation in the conflict (“Khustup TV” is not a member of the media self-regulation initiative).
In its response of September 11, 2010 the TV company accepted the offer and invited the MEO members to Kapan to meet all the conflict parties for a more thorough examination.
MEO informed the “Ecological Security and Democracy Development” NGO about its intention to visit Kapan. Nevertheless, in the letter of September 28, 2010 the NGO notified that refuses the mediation of MEO and is going to take judicial measures versus “Khustup TV”.
MEO Decision of the complaint of Susanna Shakhnazarian, President of Goris Press Club, versus “Gortsarar Hayeli” newspaper
Background of the Issue: On April 14, 2010 Susanna Shakhnazarian, President of Goris Press Club, Syuniq region, addressed the Media Ethics Observatory requesting to render an expert judgment on the conformity of the conduct of the local newspaper “Gortsarar Hayeli” employees to the professional ethics. In her letter the Head of Goris Press Club, particularly, noted that she permanently received calls, informing that the representatives of “Gortsarar Hayeli” visit the organizations of Goris and propose to write articles about them and make interviews for a certain compensation.
MEO sent a letter to the Chief Editor of the newspaper Marineh Hakobian, offering its mediation in the conflict (“Gortsarar Hayeli” is not a member of the media self-regulation initiative). The newspaper did not respond to the offer.
MEO Expert Judgment of February 4, 2010 regarding the request of Eduard Naghdalian, Chief Editor of “Delovoy Express” business weekly. Eduard Naghdalian addressed MEO for an expert judgment on the complaint of Mr. Vardanian, Director of “D.E.L.V” LLC, dealing with a piece, published in the weekly.
MEO Decision of the complaint of free lance journalist Gayaneh Hovsepian versus “Hraparak” daily
Background of the Issue: Gayaneh Hovsepian, free lance journalist from Vanadzor, Lori region, submitted a complaint to the Media Ethics Observatory on the national daily “Hraparak” regarding the violation of her copyrights.
MEO addressed a letter to the daily offering its mediation in the conflict (“Hraparak” is not a member of the media self-regulation initiative). The daily did not respond to the offer.
