From 11 to 20 February, 2020, 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, 276 articles were declared, 63 of which were negative, 21 were positive and 192 were neutral.
During the monitoring period negative articles published on RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arayik Harutyunyan prevail.
Political scientist Gagik Hambaryan, referring to Shirak State Uinversity Temporary Acting Rector Yervand Serobyan wrote on his Facebook page that Serobyan’s case was delayed on purpose. He also added that Serobyan is sponsored by Shirak governor Tigran Petrosyan and it is due to him that Arayik Harutyunyan appointed Serobyan as the Rector of ShSU.
According to reports, a member of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Youth Union of Armenia Kristine Vardanyan gifted Nikol Aghbalyan’s “Thoughts on Dashnaktsutyun” and Karine Hakobyan’s “National State” books to Minister Arayik Harutyunyan.
A short dialogue occurred when gifting the books as, during that process Arayik Harutyunyan, addressing the young Dashnak, said that the latter should have learned the code of conduct at school or university and not state that the opponent is wrong when arguing. Referring to this incident, Kristine noted: “The minister has the impression that all Armenian citizens complaining about him have certain problems with upbringing. We do not know what is the ground of that impression, but in any case, none of our actions may be claimed as violation of any code of ethics.”
113 deputies voted in favor of the amendments to the law on education, while Arayik Harutyunyan urged to vote against it, in fact, none paid attention to Harutyunyan’s call.
