Araik Harutyunyan: Its Freedom is Interpreted as Licentiousness

The head of the Armenian Prime Minister's Office, Araik Harutyunyan, addressed comments regarding Armenia's progress in the World Press Freedom Index. He noted: "Indeed, you have serious reasons to reflect, as it is evident that the public has recognized that the state has provided unprecedented freedom of the press, yet this freedom is being interpreted by you as licentiousness, an opportunity to incite intolerance, and a means to provoke.

We will continue to implement the practices of all democratic countries, but the swift self-regulation on your side must become an imperative. Otherwise, the public will force the authorities to apply serious regulatory tools, which you will qualify as restrictions on freedom of expression. I urge you to work together to rectify this situation, especially since a Participatory and Open Governance Department has been established within the Office, ready to discuss these issues," he wrote on his Facebook page.