From 1 to 10 July, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the mayor of Yerevan, Hayk Marutyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 130 articles were declared, 57 of which were negative, 12 were positive and 61 were neutral.
Negative articles on Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan mainly deal with urban waste issue. Sona Aghekyan, the former member of Yerevan Council of Elders from “Yerkir Tsirani” (2017 convocation), together with several supporters, dropped garbage at the entrance of Yerevan Municipality and expressed her dissatisfaction with the garbage disposal harshly criticizing the mayor. There has also been a wave of criticism on the social networks, which has also been reflected in news outlets.
Recently, with the participation of Hayk Marutyan, a TV commercial has appeared which has also been criticized. The mayor was urged to deal with urban issues instead of acting in an advertising.
Recent housing issue for residents of emergency buildings in Yerevan also raised criticism. At first glance, the topic should not have been criticized, but supporters of the former authorities insist that Hayk Marutyan attributed to him the work done by the former authorities. They also claim that the construction of new buildings and the plan to provide these families with housing has been started and implemented by former Mayor Taron Margaryan.
In fact, Hayk Marutyan appears to be in the center of criticism because of urban problems. The photos of the garbage that regularly appear in their turn, negatively impact on the mayor’s image. Hayk Marutyan should carry out right personnel policy so that urban problems are gradually solved, and his image parallelly rises.
