From 21 to 30 April, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the President of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan’s personality and activities. 34 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 457 articles were declared, 78 of which were negative, 11 were positive and 368 were neutral.
The discussions on the NA speaker were hot during this ten-day period. News outlets accuse Ararat Mirzoyan of concealing the number of cars serving him. They note that the political team which declared itself as a transparent one does not really work transparently.
Then hot discussions were held on the NA Rule of Procedure. Journalists complained that they are being checked after leaving the National Assembly, and former head of the National Assembly’s Information and Public Relations Department, Arsen Babayan, mentioned that this new procedure was introduced during Ararat Mirzoyan’s office.
The other topic that was discussed is linked to one of Ararat Mirzoyan’s relatives. According to the press, the head of the healthcare and labor inspectorate body, recently ordered to move the office of the eastern regional subdivision of the Inspectorate, which includes Syunik and Vayots Dzor provinces, from Sisian to Kapan. According to the media, Ararat Mirzoyan’s assistant Shushanna Tevanyan played a role in this change so as her mother is employed.
If any of these reports coincide with the reality, it means that Ararat Mirzoyan has neglected the idea of the “honest politics” of his own team and moves with his own ambitions, which may sometimes contradict both the law and the public interest.
