Yesterday RFE/RL reported that concerns are being raised ahead of the presidential election in Armenia with regards to media freedom and access to television in particular. According to the report television stations have ceased covering news conferences and events attended by “politicians and other public figures” in a move that media organizations link to next year’s vote.

Prominent individuals with a wide range of opinions and interests meet journalists and debate among each other at various Armenian press clubs on a daily basis. The local TV networks have until now readily covered such events, even when those featured opposition speakers.

“Our events haven’t been covered by any TV channel for the past five days,” said Tatul Hakobian of the Urbat Press Club. “Such a thing hasn’t happened before. Why have they covered each of our events for the past year or so only to stop doing that now?”

Several pro-opposition newspapers claimed on Thursday that the authorities have ordered the loyal broadcasters to halt the coverage as part of their efforts to close the proliferating press clubs and thereby restrict Armenians’ access to information in the run-up to the elections. Some of them said the order came from President Robert Kocharian’s office, while others pointed the finger at Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.

[…]

All major Armenian broadcasters are loyal to Kocharian and his administration. Their coverage of previous Armenian elections was criticized as heavily biased by international monitors.

The full post is available on the 2008 Presidential Election Monitor Blog.