“Decriminalization of Defamation Law will Destroy Free Speech,” Artur Sakunts

If the old method to silence media was to use force, the new decriminalization of the defamation law allows a more “civilized” method of legal mechanisms but the result is the same…it silences the media.  

Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor told 1in.am this, referring to the verdict of the Court of Appeals regarding Skizb Media Center, the founder of Zhamanak Daily.

‘The decriminalization of Defamation is done in an attempt to bankrupt the independent media. Demanding fines from media in favor of any officials through court decisions, will eventually lead to fear of expressing any opinion, newspapers will start self-censoring and the editors will be forced to search for elements of defamation in every single article. This will destroy free speech and start an unfortunate practice. What is happening is nothing but a restriction of free speech and an attempt to use pressure mechanisms against it,’ concluded Sakunts.    

The Court of Appeals rendered its verdict today on Sedrak and Bella Kocharyans against the founder of Zhamanak Daily which is the Skizb Media Center. Thus the court rejected Skizb Media Center’s appeal, leaving the verdict of the Court of First Instance in force.

Robert Kocharyan’s family had filed a suit against the founder of Zhamanak Daily, Skizb Media Center LTD, accusing the periodical of defaming the Kocharyans. The Kocharyans are demanding 6 million drams in damages from the Zhamanak Daily. The Court of Jurisdiction of Yerevan Kentron and Nork-Marash Administrative Districts upheld the plaintiff’s demand of compensation deciding to exact 3 million drams instead of the demanded 6 million drams.

Source: www.1in.am