OSCE Office facilitates discussion on media self-regulation in Armenia

YEREVAN, 25 September 2006 - Media accountability and best practices regarding self-regulation mechanisms, particularly for public broadcasters, were discussed at a meeting that took place in Yerevan over the weekend.

It brought together journalists and managers of the Public TV and Radio Company of Armenia (PTRC) and other Armenian media, representatives of international and non-governmental organizations. They discussed the possibility of introducing an internal ombudsperson's institution for the public broadcaster, professional ethics and the need to develop a professional Code of Conduct in the PTRC.

"Journalistic ethics and self-regulation play a significant role in the development of a professional, independent and accountable media," said Blanka Hancilova, Democratization Programme Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "We hope that this meeting helped to identify mechanisms for institutionalizing media self-regulation, which will enhance compliance with professional ethics."

Boris Navasardian, President of the Yerevan Press Club, added: "Media self-regulation in Armenia will not only raise accountability of the different news outlets, but will also strengthen their independence."

The two-day event, "Introduction of self-regulatory mechanisms in Armenian media," was organized by the OSCE Office, the Yerevan Press Club, PTRC, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Office in Moscow.

Jeffrey Dvorkin, the first ombudsman of the U.S. National Public Radio and executive director of the Committee of Concerned Journalists, and Ian Mayes, president of the international Organization of News Ombudsmen and the Guardian newspaper ombudsman shared their experience.