The Union of Journalists of Armenia slammed in a statement the office of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for ignoring a string of opposition mass media outlets, which were not invited to a press conference Pashinyan will give on January 10, APA reports citing TASS.
"No reasonable explanation has been officially provided for banning these media outlets from participating in the press conference. This has raised reasonable suspicion that these media outlets were barred from participating in the press conference for their 'non-governmental stance'. However, on the other hand, several other non-governmental media outlets are invited to participate in the press conference," the Union of Journalists of Armenia said in a statement.
'We condemn the discrimination shown by the government or the Prime Minister's Office in selecting participants of a public event, which contradicts the fundamental principles of democracy, press freedom and equality and deepens the atmosphere of mutual misunderstanding and intolerance.
"We call on the government to reverse this discriminatory decision as soon as possible and ensure the participation of all media representatives, without exception, at the January 10 press conference,' the Union said.
It added the accountability, transparency and public scrutiny for which government officials are forced to hold press conferences cannot be fragmented, discriminatory or selective. Otherwise the entire purpose for which such public events are planned is distorted," reads the statement
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
