In February 2019, online media coverage of legal issues was in the spotlight of “Media Advocate” initiative. 35 leading news agencies have been monitored. The articles were selected through international analytical programs.
3 categories were selected: News / Analysis / Opinion
In addition, the materials have also been segmented as negative / positive / neutral
The articles that do not contain legal arguments and are not comprehensive are negative, the ones that include legal justification are positive and finally those with versatile coverage and containing information that does not favor any side are neutral.
Attention has been focused on the articles and topics that have received publicity or have been part of political processes.
During the specified period, 9977 articles were monitored.
The graph illustrates the image obtained by combining the results of selected categories and segments. The chart represents the X and Y coordinate axis, where the horizontal coordinate is the segment (positive / negative / neutral), and the vertical one is the category (news / analysis / opinion). During the calculations positive and analytic identifiers were marked with (+), negative and comment (-) signs, neutral and news with (0) number.
We also present the ratings of the news agencies according to their rankings, where the news agency ranked under 1 is considered to have the best result of the month, while the one with the worst outcome is placed under 35.
The graph enables us to conclude that the representatives of the leading online media in Armenia do not make reference to the law in legal materials.
Besides, the legal analysis is almost absent; the opinions are prevailing. Consequently, it may be stated that the leading Armenian online press does not give priority to the unbiased coverage but the likes and views.
Unbiased coverage ratings
1. Armenpress.am
2. Azatutyun.am
3. Medamax.am
4. Panarmenian.net
5. Hayastan24.com
6. Shamshyan.com
7. Iravaban.net
8. Hetq.am
9. Lragir.am
10. Armtimes.com
11. A1plus.am/ 12 .Asekose/ 13. Factor.am/ 14. Yerkir/ 15. Aysor.am/ 16. Panorama.am/ 17. Past.am/ 18. Pastinfo.am/ 19. Aravot.am/ 20. Armday.am/ 21. Tert.am/ 22. Operativ.am/ 23. Lurer.com/ 24. Armlur.am/ 25. Blognews.am/ 26. 7or.am/ 27 .zham.am/ 28. Yerevan.today/ 29. Mamul.am/ 30. 1in.am/ 31. Hraparak.am/ 32. 168.am/ 33. slaq.am/ 34. news.am/ 35.Hayeli.am
p.s. The Media Advocate will continue to focus on the events; in particular, any encroachment and biased approach to freedom of expression will be harshly assessed.
