Ban Ki-moon: people have right to information, and states have duty to provide itMay 3, 2010 - 19:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 3, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a congratulatory message on World Press Freedom Day, which reads: "This year's theme is freedom of information: the right to know. I welcome the global trend towards new laws which recognize the universal right to publicly held information. Unfortunately, these new laws do not always translate into action. We must work to change attitudes and to raise awareness. People have a right to information that affects their lives, and States have a duty to provide this information." Besides, the statement reads that the United Nations stands with persecuted journalists and media professionals everywhere. "Today, as every day, I call on Governments, civil society and people around the world to recognize the important work of the media, and to stand up for freedom of information," the Secretary-General noted. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |