YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The last draft to the law on television and radio proves that nothing essencial is done in Armenia in the sense of strategy in the direction of supporting improvement of the freedom of information. RA Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian expressed such an opinion during the October 20 round table on the theme "Armenian Mass Media on the Eve of 2007 Parliamentary Elections." The event was organized by the Armenian representation of the "Article 19" international public organization. In A.Haroutiunian's words, every new draft relating to this sphere must become a stable step of progress in the issue of securing the freedom of information. But, the draft put in circulation is not capable to become such one. The Ombudsman mentioned that it is not enough to touch upon the theme of the freedom of expression only on the eve of elections, it is necessary to do everyday work in that direction. A.Haroutiunian also expressed opinion that it will be possible to raise the level of public awareness only in the case of securing variety of political opinions. In words of Mesrop Movsisian, the editor of the "A1+" electronic newspaper, "if the freedom of press is much spoken about in any country, it means that the country has serious problems in that sphere." In his words, the "sad experience" of mass media showed during the 2003 elections that variety of opinions in Armenia is of formal character: one-sided covering of events became a usual event." M.Movsisian emphasized that according to his observation, today the Armenian society "believes romour heard in the market more than an official information broadcast on TV."

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