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PRESS FREEDOM DAY

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In spite of the rain and the prohibition by Yerevan City Municipality, on the International Day of Press Freedom the procession by Armenian journalists in speech freedom defence took place.

Many representatives of Mass Media walked by the buildings of Justice and Foreign Affairs Ministries as well as several Embassies with the demands on speech freedom. The journalists demanded to declare invalid the illegal competitions by TV and Radio National Commission which banned "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan" TV Channels from air and to take out of turnover the bill on Mass Media.

The journalists call in the Law on Mass Silence and express their displeasure through being silent. Today the "Press Enemy" and "Press Friend"titles set by Press National Club were awarded. It is for the first time but henceforth on May the 3-rd - the Press Freedom International Day, this honorary title will be awarded annually.

After long discussion "Press Friend" title wasn't awarded as there was no suitable candidate for that. But there were many candidates contended for the "Press Enemy" title.Some of them are Justice Minister David Harutyunyan, Ashot Abovyan, the Justice Vice-Minister as well as the author of Law on Mass Media, Grigor Amalyan, TV and Radio National Commission head, the Armenian president's Manager Alexan Harutyunyan who has great influence on information field.But the title was decided to award their Superior.

As announced Vardan Vardanyan, "A1+" TV Channel journalist as well as "Kiraki"/ Sunday / Program author the 2002 year' "Press Enemy" title goes to Robert Kocharyan.

But the title award was accompanied by some difficulties.Policeman closed all entrances in the faces of the journalists and guarded them properly.But the title paper was allowed to put in the box fot letters and maybe it will go its "owner".

By the way, 15 minutes before the procession the organizers were warned they were not licenced for the procession and not to try to hold a meeting at the president's residence.There is no information for the time being wether any journalist was arrested or fined for participating in the non-licenced procession.

Armenia Helsinki Association chairman Avetik Ishkhanyan having made speech at the president's residence suggested to hold such actions every week.

By the way, Public TV journalist covering the procession refused to hold the placard speech freedom' demand on.