Օn March 27, “Media Advocate” Initiative monitored the work of the Commandant’s office with the media in emergency situation.
According to editor-in-chief of Politik.am news agency, Boris Murazi, he received a call from Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mane Gevorgyan after they published information that a 70-year-old man who died in Gyumri, was suspected to have coronavirus. “Mane Gevorgyan called me and spoke with an angry tone. I suggested Mane Gevorgyan changing her tone when speaking to me and added that we are ready to implement everything as per the requirements of the law. She told me she could fine me 500.000. I explained to her that she has no authority to do so. Mane Gevorgyan also refused to send the official refutation of the “Commandant’s Office”, saying, “Well, if we consider the law, then the policemen will visit you and demand that you remove the material.”
A number of organizations have issued a statement which has it: “We, the undersigned organizations, are pleased to note that on March 25 the Armenian government revised its March 16 decision and abolished disproportionate restrictions on coverage of new coronavirus-related issues. However, we state that the revised provisions do not exactly state the authority empowered to provide official information or comment to the media on behalf of the Commandant’s Office. This raises issues of effective implementation of the relevant regulations on the decision of emergency situation.”
