From 1 to 10 September, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the Vice-president of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Alen Simonyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 203 articles were declared, 25 of which were negative and 178 were neutral.
No positive articles have been published on the NA Vice Speaker Alen Simonyan in this ten-day period. Most of the negative articles have been formed due to statements of opposition. Alen Simonyan has been criticized by supporters of the second president Robert Kocharyan, noting that the NA Vice Speaker’s statements, in particular that special paid Facebook fakes work for Robert Kocharyan, were groundless. Anahit Mutafyan wrote: “Alen, Kocharyan’s supporters are people who value ideas. Kocharyan’s supporters support the hero of Artsakh … Dear Alen, at least you should keep silence and not to speak about using fakes.”
Alen Simonyan’s statement, according to which, “If Kocharyan’s son has facts about pressure on the courts and judges, he can appeal to law enforcement bodies”, was followed by Levon Kocharyan’s harsh response, that he will disclose those facts.
Alen Simonyan also touched upon the current issues, talking about different spheres, presenting what they have achieved and commenting on Sasna Tsrer-Nikol Pashinyan meeting.
