Projects

From December 2009 with the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression is implementing a “Research on the situation of freedom of speech in Armenia and the advocacy in the information sphere” programme.

From November 2009 with the support of UNESCO the Committee is implementing trainings for the staff of the regional radio stations. The aim of the project is to prepare and launch modern public and political radio programmes by local radio stations. The project is implemented in Syunik, Gegharkunik, Lori and Shirak regions.

From September to October 2009 with the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia the Committee implemented a short term project on analyzing and evaluating the freedom of speech and media, as well as developing the freedom of information based on international experience. Afterwards, a programme on the protection of public interests in the information sector of Armenia was drafted and implemented locally by using the international experience.

From June to September 2009 with the support of Open society Institute the Committee implemented a monitoring on European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument programme in Armenia. Based on this a report was prepared which was included in the combined report of 5 member countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine) of “Eastern partnership”.

From November 2006 to December 2009 the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression with the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia and the Government of the Netherlands implemented a three-year project “Advocacy through empowerment of regional media and journalistic organizations”. Within the framework of the project the experts of the Committee were observing the activities of regional media, drafting advices and suggestions, organizing round tables in the regions of Armenia with the participation of regional media, the representatives of journalists’ organizations, political and public figures. The discussions were held on the following topics: freedom of speech, media, information, urgent issues for the protection of the journalists’ rights. Within the first two year project implementation period the local TV companies produced TV programmes on the above mentioned topics. In the scope of the programme a sociological survey was implemented to clarify the information requirements of the regional media audience, as well as an expert survey was realized in the regions and in the capital with media and the representatives of the public and political organizations. The suggestions on improving the activities of local media were drafted by analyzing and comparing the results of the monitoring, sociological and expert surveys. The outcome of the project was compiled and published in the “Media and the protection of public interests” publication.

From February to May 2006 with the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia the Committee implemented the “Broadcasting of the urgent public and political issues on the air of the “Yerkir Media” and regional TV companies” programme. The aim of the project was the broadcasting of views and attitudes of different political parties and leading NGOs on the urgent issues that country is facing, as well as discussing the activity issues of media and journalists. Within the framework of the project the “Press Club” and “Press Club +” TV programmes were produced and broadcasted on the air of the “Yerkir Media” and 10 regional TV companies of Armenia, which in a short period of time became very popular. Afterwards, this project was continued by the partner organizations (Yerevan Press Club, Media Diversity Institute).

In February 2006 the Committee with the support of the Council of Europe organized “Legislative Regulation of Freedom of Information in Armenia and Practice” international seminar in Yerevan with the participation of journalists, representatives of state bodies and public organizations as well as foreign experts.

From April 2004 to July 2005 with the support of the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia the Committee implemented two projects which aim to broadcast the public initiatives on the air of Second Armenian TV Channel (“h-2”) and disseminate the concepts of the Partnership for Open Society Initiative.

In March 2003 the Committee jointly with Baku Press Club and Young Lawyers Association of Georgia implemented a regional project, “Harmonization of media legislation of South Caucasus countries with European standards”, supported by the South Caucasus Cooperation Program of Eurasia Foundation. From August 2003 to September 2004 together with the same partners and with the support of the same donor organization a huge programme was implemented aimed to synchronize the improvement of the media activity legislation for regional three countries and to bring the existing legislation in line with the international standards.