BILL ON MASS MEDIA ADOPTED BY ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT FIRST READING

PanARMENIAN.Net - With 69 votes for and 10 against Armenian parliament approved the bill "On Mass media" after it was given its first reading. Due to the bill, the mass media activity can be restricted in case of revealing a State secret and fomenting aggression among the masses during the war or in the state of emergency. The bill also provides for criminal penalty for libeling for the mass media employees. "Justice" opposition faction voted against the present bill, as in their opinion, the authorities, under the pretence of law, aim at creating the opportunity of persecuting press. "Adoption of the bill will inevitably lead to forbidding a number of editions", - the "Justice" representative stated. To note, adoption of bill "On mass media" is one of Armenia's obligations to the Council of Europe.