No negotiations or compromises can be made regarding media limitations, irrespective of who is in power: Barseghyan

Today, on August 30, the National Assembly’s Permanent Commission on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs is discussing issues related to restrictions on journalists' activities.

The President of the Journalists’ “Asparez” Club, Levon Barseghyan, noted that any limitations on the activities of journalists and media can only be justified by reasonable grounds. “No restriction can be arbitrary, even if it is stipulated by laws, normative acts or procedures. Otherwise, such restrictions will be qualified, qualified and will continue to be qualified as violence against freedom of speech and expression,” he stated.

Referring to the statement of majority MP Vladimir Vardanian, Levon Barseghyan expressed hope that the faction would reprimand him and prevent him from making such absurd statements regarding the duties of journalists and media. “This is a concentration camp mentality,” he said.

“No negotiations, no compromises, no bargaining can occur regarding the limitation of journalists and media, regardless of who is in power. There are people here who have fought for 25 years to ensure that the rights of journalists are protected,” Barseghyan emphasized.

Stressing that he is not being sarcastic, Barseghyan proposed making the windows of the premises bulletproof. “Make them bulletproof, let the journalists do their work inside,” he suggested. He added two more options, in his words, against absurd justifications: to obtain a signed agreement from journalists acknowledging they are entering a dangerous zone, and to provide them with helmets and bulletproof vests. “Once a bottle was thrown, next time a brick could be thrown,” he noted.

Levon Barseghyan considers it shameful that this issue is even being discussed.