Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan issued a congratulatory message on World Press Freedom Day.
"Dear representatives of the media community, I congratulate you on the occasion of this professional holiday, World Press Freedom Day.
This day is another opportunity to talk about your complex and responsible work, to emphasize the importance of your work.
Mass media have a key role in the establishment of a democratic state guided by the values of the rule of law. In the 2023 annual report of the activities of the Human Rights Defender, I specially emphasized the importance of the unhindered activities of the representatives of the media community, which is evidenced by the active cooperation of the Human Rights Defender with mass media and journalists.
I have to record that some challenges in the field of press freedom in our country are still relevant. The presence of individual cases of targeting journalists and obstructing their professional activities is problematic. In this regard, it is important to take such steps in the direction of guaranteeing the freedom of the press, which will ensure the existence of a completely favorable environment for normal media activities and the safety of journalists.
I would like to emphasize that any case of obstructing the legitimate professional activity of journalists is unacceptable and highly worrying. It is important for the state to develop and implement such structures that guarantee the existence of a completely favorable environment for normal media activities and the safety of journalists. In addition, the mentioned structures should be aimed not only at not hindering the legitimate activity of journalists, but also at preventing such obstacles, in case of their existence, to eliminate them, to carry out an effective investigation in relation to the cases, including guaranteeing the inevitability of responsibility.
It is no less important to carry out professional media activity exclusively in the context of the observance of the rules of ethics, the principles of "responsible journalism" and the exclusion of hate speech as a result of the activities of journalists.
As the Human Rights Defender, I am ready to do my best within the scope of my mandate to protect your free and unhindered work.
Congratulating you once again on the occasion of this holiday, I wish you productive and creative work," the message reads.
