OSCE workshop promotes co-operation between state press services and journalists in Armenia

YEREVAN, 27 October 2008 - Helping press officers working for state agencies and journalists to improve their interaction is the purpose of a two-day OSCE training workshop launched today in Yerevan.

Around 40 participants from press and public relations offices and media will discuss legal and ethical aspects of access to information and learn about European practices in this field. International and local experts will deliver the training, organized by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

"We want to encourage professional dialogue between Armenian state authorities and journalists to enable the media to convey information on matters of public interest. This will enable citizens to participate more in decision-making processes," said Alexander Boldyrev, the Senior Adviser to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, added: "Free access to government-held information is crucial to promote good governance and transparency."

The workshop follows the project implemented by the OSCE Office jointly with the Armenian Civil Service Council and Freedom of Information Centre NGONGO
non-governmental organization this year. Sponsored by the Italian Government, it resulted in the adoption of a freedom of information training programme as a part of the permanent training curriculum for governmental press officers. About 80 Armenian governmental press officers have already been trained under the project.