Freedom of Expression and Censorship in Armenia

The Public Perceptions on Freedom of Expression in the RA Sociological Qualitative Research 2009

Methodology of Sociological Research Focus Group (FG) Interviews . 16 Focus Groups Location of FG , d istribution Criteria for composition of FG , d istribution Geographic position of the region Capital city Region close to the centre Region at a medium distance Border region Education / Age / Sex Primary / Incomplete Secondary / Secondary Vocational / Incomplete Higher Education Higher Education 18-30 F emale/Male Mixed F emale/Male 31-50 F emale/Male F emale/Male F emale/Male 51 and up F emale/Male Mixed F emale/Male Total 16 Focus Groups Type of settlement in each region Regional centre Town (1) Village (2 )

Methodology of Sociological Research In-Depth Interview s. 31 Respondents Criteria Categories Spheres NGO Human Rights (Yerevan) Ecology (Yerevan) Health / Vulnerable G roups (Yerevan) Community D evelopment ( Gyumri ) Education, Youth ( Gyumri ) Human Rights ( Vanadzor ) Political P arty P ro-government Parliamentary P ro-government Parliamentary Pro-government Extra P arliamentary Opposition P arliamentary Opposition Extra P arliamentary Opposition Extra P arliamentary Art / Literature Cinema Theatre Music / Dance Painting / Sculpture Literature Literature Science Humanities ( NAS RA ) Humanities ( IHE ) Humanities ( IHE ) Exact Sciences ( NAS RA ) Exact Sciences ( IHE ) Exact Sciences ( IHE ) Mass Media TV ( pro-government) TV (Opposition) Press ( pro-government) Press ( opposition ) Radio ( pro-government ) Radio ( opposition ) HRD

Main Results of FG Main Associative Components of Freedom of Expression (FoE) ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Analytical Schema of FG Results Attitude Towards FoE is Different . ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Analytical Schema of FG Results ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Analytical Schema of FG Results* ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* The respondents’ definitions will be directly given in quotation marks in the footnotes.

Traditional and Political Characters Each of these is characteristic of almost half of the respondents ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Traditional and Political Characters Desirable Regulation of FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”That conservative is better, more sacred, more productive, more reproductive and illuminating than that ‘development’ imported from Europe”.

T raditional Character Desirable Regulation of FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”He is my president... It doesn’t matter if he is bad, base and a thief, I must respect him”.

Political Character Desirable Regulation of FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],*A ll the TV channels...are carrying out the demands of the authorities in order to keep the people occupied... (so that) women and men watch, and they do not get involved in politics; not be aware of their rights, not be aware of their responsibilities. A generation is being lost, a generation” .

T raditional and Political Characters Desirable Regulation of FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Liberal Character Characteristic to overwhelming minority of respondents ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Liberal Character Desirable Regulations of FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”Recently there was a ‘burial of the red apple’... Elderly women were speaking on TV, saying ‘Oh, a curse on them’... You know, we ourselves also think that after all something is holding you back from taking that step. But... there are girls who want to live freely. Let them live. It’s their life and their right.”

The Three Types of Thinking Observations ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”We are such an emotional nation that emotions always win until something very bad happens. History has shown that freedom is prohibited to such emotional nations; even democracy is wrong for us”.

Traditional and Political Characters FoE in Individual Characters and Particular Relationships ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”France, under the name of ‘developed’, comes to us ‘undeveloped’ Armenians and preaches to us that we can bury the ‘red apple’. And one day they may accept that homosexuality is in reality right, so that they can ruin this nation”.

Additional The Acceptable age for Having Pre-Marital Sex (CRRC 2006)

Traditional and P olitical C haracters FoE in Individual Character and Particular Relationships ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],*Here we come across the ‘third person effect’, according to which, people are inclined to believe that the mass media has a greater effect on others than on themselves; no one in the FG groups mentions the changes in their own behaviour, brought about by the mass media.

Traditional and P olitical C haracters FoE in Individual Character and Particular Relationships ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Traditional Character FoE in the Political Field ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”At that time when Kruschev was the king... Kruschev gave freedom of speech, the right to free expression... this was the exact opposite of Stalin’s thesis... It was from that point that socialism crumbled”.

Political and Liberal Characters FoE in the Political Field ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”They decide, this shouldn’t be permitted, put a couiple of shows or concerts here (as if) this is where they want to hold it. A1+ said something bad, shut it down , quickly, quickly. Do whatever you need to, (to ensure) information blockade... And an information blockade is in truth a dangerous phenomenon”.

Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters FoE in the Economic and Legal Fields * ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* In the given field, there are no other acceptable limitations than those activities prohibited by law. Here we discuss the methods of FoE that are implemented in reality.

Traditional, P olitical and L iberal Ch aracters FoE in the Economic and Legal Fields ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* In in-depth interviews with: pro-government, extra parliamentary (1), pro-government, parliamentary (1) political parties and pro-government(1) media, only the individual is responsible (by fighting against, and preventing, the breach, etc. ).

Traditional and Political Characters The Interchange of Principles Regulating FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* At this level of relationships democratic principles are, on the whole, deemed to be similar to unrestrainedness and degeneration .

T raditional, Political and Liberal Characters In Individual Character and in Particular Relationships ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters In Individual Character and in Particular Relationships ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* According to E. Noelle-Neumann’s “spiral of silence” theory, the individual is inclined to avoid expressing himself, if he believes he will not receive social support ”.

Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters In the Political, Economic, Legal F ields ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ” … Communities are becoming nonsensical. F or example, if I have done something for this man (the head of the village) then he will watch out for me for 3 years. A nd if I have been a supporter of the opposition then I will not be able to profit from anything. Why?... During these 10-15 years this pressure has been wearing people down”.

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”My husband is a member of a political party. They were saying to him, ’No, you have to come to this side. If you don’t, we will dismiss you from your job.’... T hen, (when) he didn’t go, they dismissed him”. Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters In the Political, Economic, Legal F ields

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* According to pro-government extra-parliamentary(1) and pro-government parliamentary(1) political parties responding in in-depth interviews, the reason is the lack of convictions and sense of responsibility in society. Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters In the Political, Economic, Legal F ields

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”Those who spoke (were) detained; those who spoke (were) killed; those who spoke, were put under pressure. They, with such intelligence, university graduates, clever people, what can we...(do)? Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters In the Political, Economic, Legal F ields

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters In the Political, Economic, Legal F ields

Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters The Ideal Conditions of FoE for the Individual All spheres ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Traditional, Political and Liberal Characters The Personal Traits and Conditions Necessary for Free Expression in RA ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”(He/she should have) a preferred country where he must flee; to whit, one way, not return”.

Illusion of FoE: “The Glass Chamber ” * ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* In order to describe the unwritten laws inhibiting upward mobility, sociologists and economists use the term «glass ceiling» ( Carol Hymowitz and Timothy Schellhardt , 1986) .

The Ranking of RA against Other Countries, with Respect to FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],1 3 2 L ow level of FoE M edium level of FoE H igh level of FoE

Desired Ranking of RA against Other Countries with Respect to FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],1 3 2 L ow level of FoE M edium level of FoE H igh level of FoE * ”Is the status of the mus l im woman attractive?... Is a smart, well-dressed, neatl y turned out woman pleasant . or one tottering around like a rag doll...nothing there?.” “ There are countries, where… women do not have the right to show their faces . Their life must be a real disaster.”

Desired Ranking of RA against Other Countries with Respect to FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],1 3 2 L ow level of FoE M edium level of FoE H igh level of FoE 2 ՛ * ”If , so to speak, a woman wants to work, strives for education... L et them give her freedom in those things. But to stray from the path... or go to bars, let them not give her freedom. But..., where there is a calling toward family, a love of study ing , a desire for work, let there be freedom . ”

Methods for I mproving the S tate of FoE FG S uggestions ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”In developed countries we see that they caught a minister, tried him ; a president. Show me anyone in our Armenia who has been tried for his wrongs... Such a thing doesn’t exist” . ** ” The HRD... were an elected body … then it would not pay attention to anything anyone might say, it would be standing by the people ” .

Methods for I mproving the S tate of FoE FG S uggestions ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

[object Object],[object Object]

General Description of In-Depth Respondents Typification ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Non-Government Organisations Censorship ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

N on-Governmental Organizations Obstacles to FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Art, Literature Censorship

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Art, Literature Obstacles to FoE

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Art, Literature Obstacles to FoE

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Science Censorship

Science Obstacles to FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Science Obstacles to FoE ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Mass Media Censorship * Main Administration for the Protection of State Secrets in the Press under the USSR Council of Ministers was the official censorship and state secret protection organ in the Soviet Union.The censorship agency was established in 1922 under the name "Main Administration for Literary and Publishing Affairs

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Mass Media Censorship

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Mass media Obstacles to FoE

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Political Parties Censorship

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Political Parties Censorship

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Political Parties Obstacles to FoE

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],The Institute of the Human Rights Defender Censorship and Obstacles to FoE

Methods for I mproving the S tate of FoE Suggestions from I n-depth I nterviews ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”They (English mass media) announce that the president's son is serving in the army and, to wit, not in the south of France in order that he can go to bathe at Nice, but in Afghanistan; and they all understand that if the prince of England has to serve in the army, then so must they” .

Methods for Improving the State of FoE Suggestions from I n-depth I nterviews ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],* ”For example: W omen in France were given suffrage in 1944, but in 1918 we had women ambassadors, and three women members of parliament . In other words, from the historical point of view, we do not have a problem” .

Sources ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sources ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sources ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sources ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sources ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Freedom of Expression and Censorship in Armenia

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