135 Cases of Violations of the Right to Obtain and Disseminate Information Recorded in 2023, As Hot Melikyan

In 2023, journalists and operators faced physical violence and other forms of pressure, including threats, expressions of hatred, and disrespectful treatment, stated Ashot Melikyan, the chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, during a briefing at the Armenpress press hall, while presenting the report on the "State of Freedom of Speech in Armenia and Violations of Journalists' and Media Rights in 2023."

Melikyan noted that there has been a concerning trend in the increase of violations of the right to obtain and disseminate information. "The bad part is that there have been legislative initiatives from the authorities that seemingly create a legal basis for even more frequent refusals of official information," he said.

According to the statistical data presented, three cases of physical violence against journalists were recorded in the third and fourth quarters of the previous year, which is 2.5 times less than the figures for 2022. "In 2023, a total of 60 cases of other pressures against journalists were recorded, and violations of the right to obtain and disseminate information totaled 135," Melikyan indicated, emphasizing that these figures have increased compared to the previous year.

He informed that the number of lawsuits filed against journalists and media outlets has also increased in 2023 compared to 2022. "If there were 32 new cases in 2022, this number rose to 36 in 2023, and most of the lawsuits are based on defamation and slander," said Ashot Melikyan, noting that in both 2022 and 2023, there were two cases concerning other disputes related to copyright.

The chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech also addressed the attempt to adopt amendments to the law on the "State of Martial Law," which faced severe criticism from the journalistic community and was removed from discussion. However, the enactment of the "Law on State Secrets," which also imposes restrictions on freedom of speech, could not be prevented.

Commenting on the internal work regime of the National Assembly, Ashot Melikyan stated that the restrictions imposed on journalists are baseless.