Minister Andreasyan Reminds That Hunanian Was Also a Journalist While Discussing Restrictions on Journalists' Movement in the National Assembly

“The most professional journalist, if they violate the law or regulations, must be held accountable, regardless of the high mission they are undertaking, and regardless of whether they are a journalist or a doctor,” stated the newly appointed Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan today in response to a decision by the National Assembly regarding restrictions on journalists' free movement and professional activities. This is reported by Aravot.am.

According to Karen Andreasyan, there are restrictions in the world's most civilized countries in cases of security, national or state security: “Let me also remind you who Nairi Hunanian was—he could do certain things while being a journalist. We need to understand that journalism or freedom of speech is not an absolute value, and if security agencies have identified certain risks, we must respect that; it is a matter of our state’s protection. The other issue is that I, as a public official, and I believe all our colleagues in the National Assembly, should be able to create the most favorable working conditions for journalists. I have heard that the President of the Assembly is currently discussing this, and we must support our colleagues to ensure that journalists have the best working conditions available.”

In response to a remark that such restrictions were not present even during the terms of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, Mr. Andreasyan responded that if there is a security threat, he is comfortable with restrictions: “But this must be done in a way that does not interfere with journalists' reasonable and calm work. If there can be certain mercenaries under the guise of journalists, and we must protect against even such individuals, then I believe that security regulations must be accepted.”

Journalists were outraged by the minister's response and tried to clarify whether a journalist's microphone or camera was a threat during this press conference, but the minister did not respond and left the government building.