On September 16, during “Azatutyun” TV’s evening issue a report was broadcasted on the main topic of the day, that is the resignation of former National Security Service (NSS) Director, Arthur Vanetsyan.
The report expresses only critical viewpoints against Vanetsyan. In particular, human rights activist Artur Sakunts, referring to Vanetsyan’s resignation, says: “If you had a disagreement, then sorry but you had one and a half years. But most importantly, I did not hear of any disagreement when you received the rank of general.”
Then, Daniel Ioannisyan, Program Coordinator of the “Union of Informed Citizens” NGO, who has repeatedly criticized Vanetsyan, notes in the report: “Artur Vanetsyan’s activities no longer seemed to have any connection with democratic logic, which seemed to be guaranteed and secured after May 18. Artur Vanetsyan’s activities were quite contrary to the logic of democracy, and this was also obvious in Artur Vanetsyan’s resignation text, where we see that he considers Nikol Pashinyan to have lack of awareness of principles of statehood, failing to distinguish primary and secondary issues, and so on. That is, he considers that the security bodies are more competent in these matters than the political leaders of the country.”
“Azatutyun” TV has carried out a clear propaganda campaign in support of Nikol Pashinyan in regard to Arthur Vanetsyan’s dismissal by representing the former NSS leader in a negative light. We urge “Azatutyun” to uphold the principles of impartial and comprehensive dissemination of information.
