From 11 to 20 July, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the RA Minister of Health, Arsen Torosyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 266 articles were declared, 108 of which were negative, 13 were positive and 145 were neutral.
Arsen Torosyan’s team is trying to create a positive image for the minister on social networks, but ignores the media field, where Arsen Torosyan’s image is obviously negative.
According to media reports, the minister has established close relations with Samvel Aleksanyan and is going to hand over the Dermatology and Obstetrics Medical Center to him. The rumours on this center are not over yet and if the publications of news outlets correspond to the reality, it means Arsen Torosyan is trying to get rid of this problematic center.
According to news outlets, Edgar Khurshudyan, head of the Healthcare and Labor Inspectorate of the Republic of Armenia, is to be dismissed from work on August 1 and Arsen Torosyan is the one who is blamed for this dismissal. According to the publications, the campaign against Edgar Khurshudyan was carried out by the minister.
There are contradictions between the Ministry of Health and the Gegharkunik Regional Administration. Minister Torosyan stated that swimming in Lake Sevan is dangerous, and the governor was demonstratively swimming there on those days. In general, the society considers that the ministry’s statement was belated.
Marina Khachatryan remains one of Arsen Torosyan’s main opponents. Mrs. Khachatryan continues to argue that Gardassil is a dangerous vaccine and accuses Arsen Torosyan of propagating it.
When driving his car, the minister recently captured a video on the road trying to show lawbreakers. The news agencies insist that Arsen Torosyan himself violated traffic rules several times during the shooting, creating an emergency situation. According to publication, Arsen Torosyan should either be fined or deprived of his driving license.
According to publications, the ministry has signed a 20,000 USD contract with the company established by DJ Vakcina. This step has been criticized, and the news outlets has noticed that Arusik Mkrtchyan constantly praises Arsen Torosyan and his activities.
Arsen Torosyan has recently submitted a bill to the ministry, which has not been approved by Nikol Pashinyan.
Due to monitoring, it becomes clear that even pro-governmental news agencies and newspapers publish negative articles on Arsen Torosyan and the rejected draft once again harms Arsen Torosyan’s reputation. Arsen Torosyan should be able to work in the media field and be engaged only in the activites of his field. The work of a police inspector is not his duty.
