Failure to disclose the hacker attack on the Blognews.am website will mean that the government, with its inaction, at least contributes to the attacks on the media: Media Advocate Initiative

The editor-in-chief of Blognews.am news agency Konstantin Ter-Nakalyan wrote on his Facebook page that their website is undergoing a DDoS attack. “Media Advocate” initiative considers unacceptable any kind of attack on the media and urges the Armenian authorities and law enforcement bodies to restore the free and uninterrupted activity of the media outlet as soon as possible.

During government meetings, the Prime Minister has repeatedly publicly appealed to heads of law enforcement bodies urging them taking actions against fake account users disseminating misinformation. Considering the agenda of fight against fakes, “Media Advocate” initiative hopes that the Armenian authorities and law enforcement bodies will prove that freedom of speech and the provision of free media activity are a priority and on the agenda for the authorities, and that the government is able to ensure the free and uninterrupted operation of the media.

Failure to disclose the fact of DDoS attack on Blognews.am and not bringing the perpetrators to justice may be seen as a deliberate move by the authorities to obstruct the free operation of the media, which will definitely have a negative impact on the reports of international organizations regarding democracy and freedom of speech in Armenia. We hope that the attack on Blognews.am will be stopped and that the media outlet will return to its usual course of work.