You Should Not Resign After Your Father's Statements: Journalist's Question to Avinyan

Every media outlet these days confidently expresses its political stance very clearly, and we do not constrain media outlets from expressing their political views. This was stated today, January 14, by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan during a conversation with journalists from "NEWS.am" while addressing the question that although he apologized for his father's statement, it was so controversial that he should submit his resignation.

"I understand that your media has a problem to solve, and I also have the problem of not supporting that issue. What can I say? Everyone moves with their agenda. Your problem is to target some officials and present them in various ways as maximally negative. That is also an acceptable agenda, very well. When the media is invited to discussions with the mayor and ignores that invitation, I also reserve the right not to respond to that media's questions. I see a lot of significant issues in our media landscape and wanted to share my concerns, which are not only mine but also those of the citizens," Avinyan said, assuring that he regularly follows citizens' opinions and talks to people. When asked whether he follows what people think about the increase in transportation costs, the mayor responded, "Of course, I follow, I talk to people, I listen, and we try to uncover all the problems and solve them periodically."