Activity Details (ID# 10850)

Activity Synopsis

To discuss and exchange expertise and expereince with Council of Europe experts on the regulation and practice of access to public information documents, with particular reference to the Law on freedom of information of Armenia and its implementation. 

A lot of positive feedback and media coverage of the event. All the invited TV companies prepared reports and aired them in their evening newscasts. A number of print media published information on the seminar. Of special notice is the publication in ''Aravot'' daily (materials in two issues of the daily were published), providing coverage of several aspects of the discussion.
 

The following recommendations were agreed by the participants and could be usefully followed up:

1. Any amendments to the Freedom of Information Act or other relevant legislations or regulations, should be discussed with national NGOs at the drafting stage. A round table should be convened and the conclusions should be sent to the relevant governmental bodies.

2. Knowledge of the FOI should be included in the job description of civil servants and be part of their training

3. Journalists should be properly trained in using the FOI and to be persistent enough in using the law. This could be achieved by organizing practical work shops in different fields – investigative journalism, political, criminal, business reporting and reporting on social issues

4. There should be developed a system for journalists to have legal and financial help in pursuing the FOI

5. Central, regional and local governments are encouraged to develop and maintain proper websites providing information on their activities and decisions as well as the information they are obliged to publish according to the FOI

6. Good practices on the proper functioning of the FOI should be encouraged, e.g. by publication .

7. Bad practices should also be transparent and pursued to reach a good result

8. Proper rules and practices for registration and storage of documents should be further developed.

 

Ashot Melikian, Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression NGO
Boris Navasardian, Yerevan Press Club
Hranush Hakobian, RA Standing Parliamentary Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth
Victoria Melkumova, RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Lusineh Movsisian, RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vladimir Karapetian, RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Lusineh Hakobian, RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Artsrun Pepanian, Ministry of Environmental Protection
Irina Alaverdian, US Embassy
Anahit Yesayan, Yerevan Municipality
Karen Poladian, RA Ministry of Justice
Irina Ghulinian, RA President’s Administration
Hasmik Khachatrian, RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Hasmik Mkrtchian, Yerevan State University
Derenik Vardumian, Public Radio
Alexander Butaev, National Democratic Union
Avetik Ishkhanian, Helsinki Committee of Armenia
Lena Badeyan, “A1+” TV
Knarik Isoyan, “A1+” TV
Varduhi Shakarian, “Investigative Journalists” NGO
Lena Nazarian, “Investigative Journalists” NGO
Liana Sayadian, “Investigative Journalists” NGO
Tsovinar Nazarian, “Hayastani Hanrapetutiun” daily
Gohar Hovsepian, Journalists Union of Armenia
David Amirian, Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation - Armenia
Sara Khojoyan, “Hayastani Finansner ev Ekonomika” (“Armenian Finance and Economy” magazine
Siranush Gevorgian, Yerevan State University
Gayane Papoyan, Yerevan State University
Elina Danielian, “Regnum” News Agency
Nona Paitian, Gladzor University
Knarik Kirakosian, Gladzor University
Svetlana Khachatrian, Gladzor University
Christine Andreassian, Caucasus Media Institute
Elena Bejanian, Caucasus Media Institute
Arpi Vagharshian, Caucasus Media Institute
Anush Babayan, All-Armenian Fund
Lusineh Stepanian, “168 Zham” newspaper
Melania Barseghian, “Aravot” daily
Narek Nikoghosian, Public Television of Armenia
Astghik Gevorgian, Armenian Journalists Union
Kostya Amirakian, “Armenpress” News Agency
Knarik Papoyan, “Im Iravunk” newspaper
Hasmik Hambartsumian, “Im Iravunk” newspaper
Grigor Emin-Terian, “Caucasus Times” news agency
Narine Karapetian, “Yerkir Media” TV
Liana Sahakian, “Yerevan” TV
Alina Khudoyan, “H2” TV, “Lraber” newscast
Mesrop Harutyunian, Yerevan Press Club
Armineh Sukiasian, Yerevan Press Club
Seda Shiganian, Yerevan Press Club
Mushegh Mkrtchian, Yerevan Press Club
Anna Stepanian, Yerevan Press Club
Armen Nikoghosian, Yerevan Press Club
Sona Mashurian, “Noyan Tapan” News Agency
Arpine Amirian, “Armenia” TV
Gagik Kochinian, ‘Kentron” TV
Marlena Hovsepian, Public Radio
Anush Beghlarian, ARKA News Agency
Tamar Minasian, “Azg” daily
Vigen Sargsian, World Bank Office in Armenia
Olga Safarian, “Internews Armenia” NGO
Arevik Sardarian, “Avangard” newspaper
Oksana Musaelian, “Arminfo” News Agency
Hermine Baghdasarina, Public Television of Armenia
Liana Grigorian, “Lragir” online newspaper
Hasmik Bakunts, ARKA News Agency
Elena Davidian, ARKA News Agency
Varazdat Vardazarian, National Democratic Union
Anna Saghabalian, “Liberty” radio
Tigranuhi Mkrtchian, “Ar” TV
Hrair Martirosian, “Huys” (“Hope”) NGO
Levon Barseghian, “Asparez” Journalists Club, Gyumri
Lilit Simonian, Center of Law and Information
Naira Bulghadarian, Vanadzor Press Club
Timothy Spence, International Center for Journalists
Alina Grigorian, Media Diversity Institute
Marianna Kalashian, Media Diversity Institute
Sona Aivazian, Transparency International Armenia
Avet Demurian, Associated Press
 

Ms Alexina Dimitrova, Journalist, Bulgaria
Ms Tonje Meinich, Counsellor for Justice and Home Affairs, Mission of Norway to EU 

Ms Bojana Urumova, SRSG if Armenia, Council of Europe
Ms Anna Ghukasyan, Council of Europe Office, Armenia