YEREVAN, 28 November 2019 – During his visit to Yerevan on the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Institution, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, encouraged authorities to continue promoting a safe and enabling environment for media freedom.

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PRESS RELEASE

OSCE representative Désir meets Prime Minister Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan on occasion of 15th Anniversary of Armenian Ombudsman

On 26 November, Désir met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan where he highlighted the co-operation established between his Office, the Government of Armenia and the Armenian Ombudsman. The Representative welcomed their efforts to protect freedom of expression and media freedom in the country.

The Representative discussed with Prime Minister Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan initiatives needed to promote media diversity and independence, to address hate speech and disinformation in line with international principles, enhance access to information, and the protection of journalist’s sources. The completion of the digital switchover process, including through a review of the broadcast regulation, to ensure a better diversity at the local level was also discussed.

During his meetings, Désir welcomed the recent exchange visits of journalists between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as an important confidence-building measure.

Désir also addressed the conference for the 15th Anniversary of the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Institution. He underlined the important role, since its creation, of the Ombudsman in defending media freedom. With international experts and parliamentarians the Representative addressed the issues of curtailing hate speech, disinformation and extremism, while protecting the freedom of speech.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/440510

Contacts:

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
Fax: +43 1 514 36 6802
[email protected]

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