Armenian parliament
According to one of the authors of the bill, MP Hovhannes Markarian, the amendments are proposed to a new paragraph of Article 164 of the Criminal Code of Armenia – "Hampering lawful professional activities of journalists".
According to Markarian, the new paragraph sets the responsibility for violence or threats of violence against a journalist or member of his family to prevent the lawful professional activities of journalists, forcing him to spread or not to disseminate information.
Such acts are invited to be imposed a fine from 200,000 drams (about $ 520) to 400,000 drams (about $ 1035), or correctional labor for up to two years, or imprisonment for up to five years.
Markarian said that the need for such changes there is caused by the fact that according to a number of public organizations the number of cases of violence against journalists and attempts to hinder their career has grown in Armenia in the past years.
According to the deputy, it proves that the degree of protection of the rights and interests of journalists is still not at a proper level, and there is a need to protect them by stiffening sanctions.
Novosti-Armenia
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