Yerevan/Mediamax/. Chief Editors of "Hraparak” and "Zhamanak” newspapers Armine Ohanyan and Arman Babajanyan called on revising the clauses decriminalizing criminal responsibility for offense and libel.

“Hraparak” editor-in-chief said today that the Armenian media was in better state before the adoption of these legislative amendments than it is now, Mediamax reports. According to her, the amendments were aimed to protect only “the oligarchs’ rights, not the citizens”. 

In his turn,  “Zhamanak” editor-in-chief noted that “it is a process ordered by the President’s Office against the freedom of media”. 

According to Arman Babajanyan, the author of the amendments made in Armenia’s Civil Code, current Ombudsman of Armenia Karen Andreasyan should suggest a way out of this situation.

“We turned to the Ombudsman to recognize the clauses as anti-constitutional. We were informed by the office that the suggestion is being discussed”, stated Armine Ohanyan.

The Chairman of the Committee for Protection of Freedom of Speech Ashot Melikian said that certain specifications should be made in the law and the penalty rates should be reduced, otherwise the media will face serious problems.