Large ministry, many things to do

From 1 to 10 July, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the Minister Arayik Harutyunyan’s personality and activities. 35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.

In the specified period, 251 articles were declared, 29 of which were negative and 222 were neutral.

There are no positive articles on Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan. The minister’s activities are criticized by the news outlets but articles it should be noted that one may come across published articles that have nothing to do with his professional work. Arayik Harutyunyan and LGBT community representative Karabina’s meeting was recalled on the media and on the social networks. The distant struggle between Vahagn Varagyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, head of YSU Center for Student Affairs, continues. Varagyan claims that they want to close center only for firing him. Human rights defender Levon Barseghyan, in his turn, touched upon the issue on Shirak State University, and criticized the minister’s statement on dissolving the university.

Prosperous Armenia Party MP Gevorg Petrosyan, in his turn, touched upon Arayik Harutyunyan’s note on Razmik Amyan. Petrosyan insisted that Arayik Harutyunyan should not have been expressed in such a way, and if Razmik Amyan devoted a song to Serzh Sargsyan, it does not mean that he has taken a mercenary move. Gevorg Petrosyan particularly mentioned: “Let Arayik Harutyunyan reach it, so that a song is devoted to him”.

Former employees of the National Institute of Education are also complaining: they say they are unemployed for two months, and after the meeting with the minister they announced that the minister said the situation could be clear only in two months.

The news outlets note that Arayik Harutyunyan has failed the first “exam” in the field of monuments. According to media reports, the minister is not aware of the situation, and the problem is connected with the pool located in the park area of the bridge of public importance, which is considered to be a state property registered in Oshakan village.

Arayik Harutyunyan has not yet solved the problems of the Education and Science, issues related to culture, sport and youth were added to them. Arayik Harutyunyan should probably avoid the various comments and deal with the work of the Ministry, so that the other issues causing dissatisfaction are not added to the sectoral issues.