OSCE Office holds conference in Armenia on role of media in combating corruption

YEREVAN, 28 September 2004 - The role of the media in the fight against all forms of corruption was the focus of a conference organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan. The two-day event, held over the weekend in Tsakhkadzor, brought together more than 30 journalists.

Together with representatives of the National Assembly, the Presidential Administration, the Prosecutor's Office and civil society, they discussed what the media can do to help combat corruption in Armenia as well as forms of co-operation with the authorities.

"Our Office has been assisting the Armenian authorities and civil society in fighting corruption and will continue to do so," said Arthur Khachatryan of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "The media can play a decisive role in combating corruption. We are sure that this conference will help the journalists in this area of their work".

The conference was organized with assistance from the National Centre for Monitoring the Liberalization Process, an NGO which actively participates in the work of the country's Anti-Corruption Coalition.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan has been co-ordinating the efforts of the international community assisting the Armenian authorities and civil society to develop and implement a National Anti-Corruption Strategy.