On December 28 the NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan invited to New Year reception the journalists and heads of the mass media, who were accredited in the parliament. Addressing them he said:
“Dear journalists!
Honorable representatives of the fourth power!
I highly emphasize this meeting of the legislative body and the fourth power in the National Assembly at the end of the year.
All of us connect hopes with the New Year and indicate many programmes.
The independent press is one of the most important achievements of the third republic of Armenia. Yes, the significance and importance of the free press is invaluable in building democratic, free and proud state. The freedom of speech is an absolute value, and the state, which has just fourth power, is strong.
Any power, any official must always feel in his back the breath of the free press, which, however, must be fair and unbiased, correct and professional.
The fourth power must be the indicator, by which we’ll assess the power, the opposition and also the society.
And that important mission demands first of all, from all of us, an absolute and unreserved objectivity. Only that mass media can have an impact on the public opinion and can form objective public opinion.
My day begins by contacting us. I look through the daily press, and when I come across with the criticism to my address, then, I ensure you that if that criticism is unbiased I always try to make conclusions. Whereas, the self-purposeful and subjective criticism believe me does not solve any problem.
The free and objective mass media is one of the bases of peace and democracy. I would like to thank the representatives of the fourth power for their significant contribution in the democratization sphere in Armenia.
I congratulate everyone’s New Year. Let the year 2010 bring our country everlasting peace and welfare, our people tolerance, solidarity and welfare.
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!”
By the order of RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan for covering the works of the parliament unbiased for many years the journalists accredited in the National Assembly Gayane Melikyan (Noyan Tapan agency), Tigran Liloyan (ITAR-TASS agency), Margarit Yesayan (Aravot daily), Gevorg Harutyunyan (Hayots Ashkharh daily), Gohar Sargsyan (Respublika Armenia newspaper) and Anna Israyelyan (Aravot daily) were awarded name-bearing watches.