The Public Perceptions on Freedom of Expression in the RA

1
The Public Perceptions on Freedom of Expression
in the RA

• Sociological Qualitative Research
• 2009

2
Methodology of Sociological Research Focus Group
(FG) Interviews. 16 Focus Groups Location of
FG, distribution
Criteria for composition of FG, distribution
3
Methodology of Sociological ResearchIn-Depth
Interviews. 31 RespondentsCriteria
4
Main Results of FGMain Associative Components of
Freedom of Expression (FoE)

• Fear, psychological pressure, punishment
• FoE is defined by the exclusion of the above
  mentioned negative phenomena
• Neccessity for boundaries to FoE
• FoE is valued when there are certain restrictions
  on it
• The pointlessness of FoE
• FoE is equated to the ineffectiveness and lack of
  success of speech and actions in personal lives
• The impossibility of FoE
• FoE is perceived as a fairy tale which never
  occurs in real life

5
Analytical Schema of FG ResultsAttitude Towards
FoE is Different.

• In case of individual character
• (personal style, individual qualities, etc.)
• In particular (non-formal) relationships
• (family, kin, friends, community etc.)
• In institutional (formal) relationships
• Art, literature
• Political field
• Economic activity, social security
• Legal field (social protection)

6
Analytical Schema of FG Results

• According to
• Individual character
• In particular relationships
• Institutional relationships
• The permissible level of FoE
• the following main types of thinking can be
  distinguished
• Traditional (patriarchal)
• Political
• Liberal

7
Analytical Schema of FG Results

• The following are presented for each type
• ideological legitimization
• desirable principles for regulation of FoE
• the acceptable and unacceptable limitations of
  FoE within all relationships
• The acceptable players responsible for the
  regulation of FoE in all relationships
• Where descriptions of characters concur with each
  other, they are presented together.
• Presented according to all types
• Obstacles to, factors, modes and self-censorship
  of, FoE
• Ideal conditions for FoE
• Effective steps for re-establishment of FoE
• Necessary personal qualities etc. For FoE
• The position of RA relative to other countries on
  the issue of FoE
• Means for improving FoE

The respondents definitions will be directly
given in quotation marks in the footnotes.
8
Traditional and Political CharactersEach of
these is characteristic of almost half of the
respondents

• Ideological legitimization
• Preservation of Armenian Identity Non-distortion
  of the character of the Armenian
• Defined by traits considered appropriate and
  inappropriate, suitable and unsuitable to the
  Armenian (dignity, shame, humility, etc.)
• The survival of the nation (non-destruction).
• The preservation of the Armenian cahracter is
  considered the guarantee of the survival of the
  nation. Deviation is regarded as the basis for
  the destruction of the nation.
• Welfare of society
• A free environment for economic activity is
  considered important to secure welfare
• Implementation of rights
• Social and legal protection is considered
  important for economic activity and social
  security

9
Traditional and Political CharactersDesirable
Regulation of FoE

• FoE is regulated according to traditional
  (patriarchal) moral norms and customs
• In the formation of individual character
• In particular relationships
• As a means to preserve the Armeniancharacter
• In art and literature
• As a mechanism to preserve the Armenian
  character

That conservative is better, more sacred, more
productive, more reproductive and illuminating
than that development imported from Europe.
10
Traditional CharacterDesirable Regulation of FoE

• In the case of political activities (attitude
  toward the authorities)
• FoE is regulated according to the following
  principles
• (as a means and mechanism for the survival of the
  nation)
• All-leveling national unity
• Diversity within the framework of homogeny
• Tolerance toward illegalities of the authorities
• Confronting external threats by sweeping the
  dust under the carpet
• The authorities as symbols of the state
• The authority (president, prime minister, etc.),
  irrespective of the methods used to reach that
  position, is considered immune from criticism or
  ridicule. The latter are considered a threat to
  statehood.

He is my president... It doesnt matter if he
is bad, base and a thief, I must respect him.
11
Political CharacterDesirable Regulation of FoE

• In the case of political activities (attitude
  toward the authorities)
• FoE is regulated according to the following
  principles
• (as a means to social welfare and security)
• The state as a mechanism to secure the welfare of
  society
• The activities of the state apparatus should be
  directed toward raising the standard of living of
  society
• Intolerance toward the illegalities of the
  authorities
• It is possible to overcome social injustice by
  criticism and protest

All 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.
12
Traditional and Political CharactersDesirable
Regulation of FoE

• FoE is regulated according to democratic
  principles (Legislation)
• In the spheres of economic activity and social
  security
• as an efficient means to secure social welfare
• In the legal spheres (social security)
• As an efficient means to secure or protect welfare

13
Liberal CharacterCharacteristic to overwhelming
minority of respondents

• Ideological legitimization
• The liberalisation of the Armenian
• The patriarchal system is considered a social
  injustice. Liberalisation is considered a
  mechanism for the development of state, culture ,
  etc.
• Democratization of RA, creation of a civil
  society
• Civil society is considered important within the
  context of the develpment and competitiveness of
  the state
• Welfare of society
• A free environment for economic activity is
  considered important for securing prosperity
• Implementation of rights
• The social and legal protection of the individual
  is considered important

14
Liberal CharacterDesirable Regulations of FoE

• FoE is regulated according to principles of
  democracy and civil society (Legislation)
• In the formation of individual character
• In particular relationships
• In institutional relationships
• On the whole it is characteristic to 18 30 year
  old girls less frequently, to boys.
• In particular relationships it is mainly
  characterised by tolerance of non-traditonal
  behaviour by others rather than a desire to
  personally behave in that manner.

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. Its their life and their right.
15
The Three Types of ThinkingObservations

• Traditional and political characters differ only
  in their attitude toward FoE in the political
  sphere. The first consider it a danger to
  statehood the second consider it a means for
  the development (normalization) of the state.
• All three types state the importance of FoE in
  the spheres which secure financial prosperity
  (economy, social welfare).
• All three types state the importance of FoE in
  the legal field as a tool for protection of FoE
  in the spheres securing welfare.
• The attitude toward art and literature is similar
  in the individual character and particular
  relationship, as it is considered a mechanism for
  the formation of the latter two.

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.
16
Traditional and Political CharactersFoE in
Individual Characters and Particular Relationships

• Acceptable boundaries to FoE
• Individuals sex life (pre-marital,
  extra-marital, homosexual etc.)
• Personal free style and behaviour
• Completely equal relationships Adult-juvenile,
  parent-child, man-woman (familial,community).
• Religious (not Armenian Apostolic) belief, etc.
• All those spheres which may result in the
  destruction of Armenian traditionalism and
  introduction of foreign culture (mores).

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.
17
AdditionalThe Acceptable age for Having
Pre-Marital Sex (CRRC 2006)
18
Traditional and Political CharactersFoE in
Individual Character and Particular Relationships

• Dangers leading to the destruction of Armenian
  traditionalism
• Mass media (serials, films, advertisements)
• The showing of sex scenes and accessories,
  adultery etc.
• The glorification of slang, the world of
  gangsters and criminals, etc.
• Free style clothing and accessorising
• In the case of men long hair, jewellery etc.
• In the case of women revealing or masculine
  clothes , etc.
• Non-Armenian dances
• Erotic movements and attire
• Bars, strip clubs, brothels
• Sects
• Homosexuals
• Drug addiction

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.
19
Traditional and Political CharactersFoE in
Individual Character and Particular Relationships

• The acceptable players responsible for limiting
  FoE
• Society
• Control function
• Constitution, Legislation
• Introducing legal restrictions in areas outside
  of public supervision (e.g., mass media, bars,
  etc.)
• Individual
• Self-control, corresponding level of discernment
• Intellectuals
• Educational function (setting an example)
• Head of the given institute (parent, teacher,
  etc.)
• Control function

20
Traditional CharacterFoE in the Political Field

• Acceptable restrictions to FoE
• Protest demonstrations, marches, political
  actions etc.
• Criticism, ridicule, etc. of the authorities
  (particularly in the mass media)
• Political opposition (being anti-government)
• Publication of state secrets (security of the
  country)
• Acceptable players responsible for restrictions
  to FoE
• The authorities, Leadership
• Constitution, Legislation
• Individual (through self-control), society
  (controls)
• National Security Service
• Intellectuals

At that time when Kruschev was the king...
Kruschev gave freedom of speech, the right to
free expression... this was the exact opposite of
Stalins thesis... It was from that point that
socialism crumbled.
21
Political and Liberal CharactersFoE in the
Political Field

• Unacceptable restrictions to FoE
• Protest demonstrations, marches, political
  actions, etc.
• Expression of political orientation
• Criticism of authorities, etc.
• Political opposition (being anti-government)
• Acceptable restictions to FoE
• Unlawful acts and willfulness of the authorities
• Immunity and rights of persons in authority
• Publication of state secrets (security of the
  country)
• Acceptable players responsible for the regulation
  of FoE
• Constitution, Legislation
• The legitimate authorities, leadership
• Individual, society
• Human Rights Defense organisations
• Intellectuals

They decide, this shouldnt 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.
22
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersFoE
in the Economic and Legal Fields

• Uncceptable methods of restricting FoE
• Unlawful acts (unwritten laws) of the state
  (also non-state) system
• Towards the individual or kin
• Physical violence beatings, imprisonment, etc.
• Administrative pressure dismissal from work,
  reduction in pay, etc.
• Psychological pressure, threat
• Abuse of position (particularly in establishing a
  monopoly)
• Willfulness, etc.
• Acceptable methods of restricting FoE
• Constitution, Legislation

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.
23
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersFoE
in the Economic and Legal Fields

• Acceptable players responsible for the regulation
  of FoE
• State (by fighting against, and preventing,
  breaches of FoE, etc.)
• Society (control function)
• Individual (fighting against, and preventing, the
  breach, etc.)
• Court system (by implementing the law, punishing
  breaches)
• Human Rights Defense organisations
• Trade Unions

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.).
24
Traditional and Political CharactersThe
Interchange of Principles Regulating FoE

• Individual character, particular relationships
• Democratic principles
• Are viewed as a threat
• The consequences are deemed to be
• Destruction of the sanctity of the family
• Destruction of Armenianness
• Spread of degeneration
• Annihilation of the nation

• Economic, Legal relationships
• Traditional norms
• Are viewed as a threat
• The consequences are deemed to be
• Obstacles to wellbeing of society
• Establishment of social injustice
• Absence of social protection

At this level of relationships democratic
principles are, on the whole, deemed to be
similar to unrestrainedness and degeneration.
25
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
Individual Character and in Particular
Relationships

• Real obstacles to FoE
• Social control (community, family, etc.)
• Constitution, Legislation
• Self-censorship

26
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
Individual Character and in Particular
Relationships

• Reasons for self-censorship
• Ridicule, insult, blame
• Discredit, gossip
• Isolation, alienation
• Physical violence
• Direct prohibition of actions, speech (silencing)
• Close social network in the community (tight
  personal space)
• Dependence on community relationships (getting a
  loan, calling for help, etc.)
• Upbringing (habitualized inhibitions, reserve,
  humility, etc.)

According to E. Noelle-Neumanns spiral of
silence theory, the individual is inclined to
avoid expressing himself, if he believes he will
not receive social support.
27
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
the Political, Economic, Legal Fields

• Main factors impeding FoE
• (It is possible to hinder FoE by the following
  means)
• Unemployment, scarcity of jobs, low level of
  welfare
• Dependance for living conditions on the
  willfulness of one or more officials
• Clan norms (close inter-familial relationships
  and ties between cirlces of friends)
• Societys lack of awareness of rights and laws

Communities are becoming nonsensical. For
example, if I have done something for this man
(the head of the village) then he will watch out
for me for 3 years. And 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.
28
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
the Political, Economic, Legal Fields

• Methods of obstructing (also reinstating) FoE
• Dismissal from work (individual or kin)
• Threats against individual or kin
• Punishment of kin (also in other establishments)
• Physical violence against individual or kin
• Beating, killing, imprisonment etc.
• Administrative willfulness, vindictiveness
• Deprivation of pension, benefit and other
  privileges, non-provision of documents,
  deliberate carelessness, etc
• Bribery
• Hostility, defamation

My husband is a member of a political party.
They were saying to him, No, you have to come to
this side. If you dont, we will dismiss you from
your job.... Then, (when) he didnt go, they
dismissed him.
29
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
the Political, Economic, Legal Fields

• Reasons for self-censorship
• Fear of losses and willfullness
• Prevention of lawless acts, violence
• Defense of kin
• Uselessness of expression
• The ineffectiveness of attempts at reinstating
  FoE
• Lack of trust in the court, legal defense and
  other systems
• Community norms (pangs of conscience about
  bringing complaints against acquaintances, etc.)

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.
30
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
the Political, Economic, Legal Fields

• Sources of horrific stories
• Personal experience
• Experience of kin or acquaintance
• Well-known scandalous incidents
• (According to pro-government parliamentary (1)
  political party and pro-government (1) press,
  during in-depth interviews, the sources are
  public imagination, gossip and rare, coincidental
  events)

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)?
31
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersIn
the Political, Economic, Legal Fields

• The most effective strategy on encountering
  breaches of FoE
• In the overwhelming majority of respondents
• Avoiding action
• Keeping silent
• In the minority of respondents
• Stuggling within the framework of the law

32
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersThe
Ideal Conditions of FoE for the IndividualAll
spheres

• An environment in which the following do not
  occur
• Violence, punishment (physical, administrative,
  psychological)
• Coercion, threats (physical, administrative,
  psychological)
• Isolation
• delation, denunciation, etc.
• The ideal environment is within the circle of
  like-minded people

33
Traditional, Political and Liberal CharactersThe
Personal Traits and Conditions Necessary for Free
Expression in RA

• In the overwhelming majority of respondents
• suicide volunteer , Kamikaze
• crazy, hole in the head, mad, reckless
• fearless, brave, audacious, bold (also,
  without taking into consideration public opinion)
• alone (without relatives)
• having a backer, being well covered, having
  the support of a patron
• having money , with a preferred country
• In the minority of respondents
• chameleon, two-faced (able to change opinion
  in time)
• stubborn, strong-willed, responsible,
• educated, intelligent,someone who knows the
  law
• just, honest
• Also drunk, in the case of men

(He/she should have) a preferred country where
he must flee to whit, one way, not return.
34
Illusion of FoE The Glass Chamber

• The invisible walls (obstacles) of ones
  individual privacy
• The rights enforced through the legislature are
  suppressed by the society in accordance with
  moral norms.
• Invisible isolators of legal actions
• The actions and speech, directed to the
  implementation of law and restoration of rights
  enforced by the legislature remain ineffective.
  As a result people refuse to take actions.

In order to describe the unwritten laws
inhibiting upward mobility, sociologists and
economists use the term glass ceiling (Carol
Hymowitz and Timothy Schellhardt, 1986).
35
The Ranking of RA against Other Countries, with
Respect to FoE
1
3
2
Low level of FoE
Medium level of FoE
High level of FoE

• Muslim, African, Central Asian and other
  countries
• RA, post-Soviet countries (except the Baltic
  states)
• Europe, USA, China, etc

36
Desired Ranking of RA against Other Countries
with Respect to FoE
1
3
2
Low level of FoE
Medium level of FoE
High level of FoE

• In close to half cases the following is
  desirable
• The maintenance of the present position (2)
• Movement toward 1 is considered regression
  because of the excessive retrictions to freedom
  (particularly for women) characteristic to those
  countries.
• 3rd ranking for RA is considered loss of
  national character, leading to the path of
  possible annihilation of the country.

Is the status of the muslim woman
attractive?... Is a smart, well-dressed, neatly
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.
37
Desired Ranking of RA against Other Countries
with Respect to FoE
1
3
2
2?
Low level of FoE
Medium level of FoE
High level of FoE

• For a large part of the remaining half of cases,
  the following is desirable
• A little Europeanization (2?)
• 2? is considered the desired level of rule of law
  without the degeneration characterisic to liberal
  countries.
• Sometimes 2? is desired to reach a certain
  harmless level of liberalisation in particular
  relationships.
• Movement toward 1 is considered regression
  because of the excessive restrictions to freedom
  (particularly for women) characteristic to those
  countries
• 3rd ranking for RA is considered loss of
  national character leading to the path of
  possible annihilation of the country.

If, so to speak, a woman wants to work, strives
for education... Let 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
studying , a desire for work, let there be
freedom.
38
Methods for Improving the State of FoE FG
Suggestions

• According to the overwhelming majority of
  respondents
• Eradication of the factors hindering FoE
  (unemployment, wilfulness, clan norms, lack of
  awareness of laws)
• Eradication of corruption in the court system
• Implementation of the law (especially in regards
  to high ranking officials)
• Establishment and development of institutions
  which TRULY work for the defense of rights
  (re-establishment of trust, making the office of
  Ombudsman an elected one)

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 doesnt 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.
39
Methods for Improving the State of FoE FG
Suggestions

• According to the minority of respondents
• Change in authorities (legitimate authority)
• Raising the level of civil consciousness in
  society
• Overcoming traditional stereotypes through
  campaigns
• United struggle against illegal acts
  (demonstrations, protests etc.)

40

• Public opinion is not what people think, but
  what the public is willing to publicly
  acknowledge they think.
• T. Harrison 1940

41
General Description of In-Depth
RespondentsTypification

• Distributed in the following manner, in
  decreasing order
• Traditional, found in all categories
• This is also a form of free expression which
  does not conform to any law or logic.
  Irrespective of everything, you feel that whether
  the person in that position has attained that
  post through fair means or foul, nevertheless
  there is the issue of stability (of the
  country).
• Political, found in all categories
• Liberal, more characteristic in representatives
  of the arts and literature
• Sex is not discussed it doesnt exist. With us,
  procreation occurs vegetatively or, I dont
  know... They cut the barrel and bury it in the
  soil. The sex organs do not exist. No one speaks
  about it ... everything is done in a closed,
  repulsive, pathological way. Probably, if Freud
  had been in Armenia, he would have written two
  extra volumes.
• The girl thinks that if she says,I want you,
  the boy may think, Who is this, this depraved
  hussy... so she doesnt say it. But ... Its
  normal that she wants the boy. Shes not going to
  want a horse, is she? And the boy should accept
  that (the girl wants him ) as normal.

42
Non-Government OrganisationsCensorship

• (State) censorship present in mass media
• I sent an article to the Republic of Armenia
  newspaper about the accounts of Lake Sevan to
  show... how much inaccurate information they are
  giving to the government. The editor... has said,
  yes, not bad, its good, but a pity that I have
  already printed an anti-government article this
  year. Do you understand? The (official) press
  which in fact serves the state... is carrying out
  anti-government and anti-national activities.
• Coercion and threats by state structures
• It was 97-98 when the ministry of defense began
  a very severe attack on us through all the
  television stations when we raised the issue of
  those killed in the army.
• Authoritarianism of high-ranking officials, rigid
  mind-set, intolerant of other viewpoints
• In all discussions... they switch off the
  microphone. For example, that X ... in the
  Presidency chamber of the National Academy of
  Sciences, in everyones presence, said , I wont
  allow, respondents name, to speak as his
  viewpoint does not correspond to our viewpoint.

43
Non-Governmental OrganizationsObstacles to FoE

• Censorship present in mass media
• (Particularly) TV broadcasting is under, I
  wouldnt say complete, but quite severe
  supervision by the authorities and FoE is fairly
  restricted.There have been incidents when we have
  called a press conference and they havent come.
  It is possible to consider this as, in some way,
  an obstacle to my being able to say what I want
  to society.
• The low level of competency of officials
• X, is nagging, sending applications to almost
  all the heads of communities with a request for
  some ordinary information. Some of the heads of
  the villages, may be, are illiterate, dont know
  the law and have replied late. So he has taken
  them to court.
• The inadequate level of civil consciousness in
  society
• Lets assume if we talk about the rights of
  prisoners both in society and among
  intellectuals, this is very difficult to
  comprehend. They immediately assume, Are you
  defending the rights of criminals?

44
Art, Literature Censorship

• Competition between the media
• Its a very funny reason. In Armenia, one
  television company may not broadcast it , saying
  That other one is broadcasting it and Im not on
  good terms with it....
• Clan norms existing in the mass media and the
  artcritic-literary community
• This kind of gangish, hoodlumy relationship, an
  unprofessional approach, unprincipled... And an
  absence of taste ... What a lot of bad things I
  said, right?
• Low level of competence and fettered (not free)
  thinking in the artcritic-literary community

45
Art, LiteratureObstacles to FoE

• Low level of competency in superiors and leaders
• I printed on the poster that entrance for
  children under 16 was prohibited and the next day
  he (the director of the theatre), in order to to
  fill the theatre, brought in an audience of a
  busload of children from Etchmiadzin. Of course,
  I did not play the role and the next day, he
  terminated my contract.
• Administrative willfulness on the part of
  superiors and leaders, and their immunity
• It is pointless doing anything because the man
  has been given unlimited authority and you are
  absolutely not protected. I do not have those
  leverages the directors (of establishments) also
  consider themselve to be little princes.

46
Art, LiteratureObstacles to FoE

• Abuse of position, coercion by superiors and
  leaders
• They can call the singer and say you must come
  and sing here. But the singer... in general, a
  person, must nothing for anyone. They can
  request, they can ask, they can pay, but it
  should not be with must.
• Inadequate (state) evaluation (non-appreciation)
• They did not even say on TV that Ghukas
  Chubaryan, an incredible sculptor, had died... He
  was a huge sculptor... but he was not
  appreciated... Already the others, seeing that
  injustice, are becoming disillusioned.
• Absence of financing, budgetary tightness
• Since there are great thoughts, compositions...
  There is no one who will help officialy or
  legally... there is no financer for my idea to be
  implemented.

47
ScienceCensorship

• Taboo of themes which may result in the
  destruction of the Armenian character
• (During analysis) you come across issues which
  are not to the liking of Armenians. Because our
  ethonologists are first and foremost traditional
  grannies and grandpas, they see heresy in
  that... They say we shouldnt introduce that
  (e.g. discussion on the red apple) you are
  distorting the national culture... What are you
  passing on to the generations?
• The immunity of historic, national myths
• If anyone, a historian looks at history in
  another light, there will be an attack on him by
  all those rigid historians. Even if there are
  discussions about the battle of Vardanants as to
  who is right who is wrong... The events of 1915
  as to whether or not mistakes in our political
  thoughts had also been present there... now that
  would be immediately met with bayonets from all
  the historians.

48
ScienceCensorship

• The professional obsolescence of the scientific
  community
• (In order to be printed) the majority of
  (Scientific Committees) Have last read a book
  during the soviet period... God forbid, that they
  read what you have written... You are obliged
  to... explain that such books already exist in
  the world... Play the role of a passive person...
  You say you have only re-written it... Go and
  argue with Bourdieu... In order to appear
  competent, they are obliged to accept But if you
  dont approach them correctly, a conflict is
  unavoidable. They say, go and put it into a
  scientific format.
• Academic authoritarianism of the scientific
  community
• The way to become an intellectual was to read
  classic literature, theory Marx Lenin You did
  not need to read anything more He knew he was
  right, he was the bearer of the Truth. Our
  intellectuals, from the point of view of
  methodology, differed in no way from criminality
  because that also has its one Truth. It only
  differed on the level of a terminology tool.

49
ScienceObstacles to FoE

• Absence of generation change. Aging of scientific
  community
• Kapiza said something good about Russian
  education It is disgraceful that, today,
  grandfathers are teaching their grandsons. I
  must not teach my grandchild anymore, not because
  I am not a professional, but... independent of my
  titles, I am already slowly falling behind
  contemporary standards.
• The sacrificing of scientific standards in the
  name of financial security
• Today when science and education is not
  financed, it is embarrassing to say, that we are
  reaching out to our students, the fee payer,
  thinking that he should pay our wages Dismiss
  the paying student?... Means that my salary will
  decrease.

50
ScienceObstacles to FoE

• The emigration of scientists or their refusal to
  continue being involved
• in science, as a result of insufficient financing
  
• Sponsorship and bribery
• They ask,whose son is he, that he should read a
  lecture? And this issue has persisted
  continuously for a year... The thing is that your
  brother or father has to be a member of
  parliament or some such thing for you to be able
  to find work within your scientific field in your
  fatherland.
• The inadequate level of competence of officials
• He, on whom the implementation of that idea
  depends is a very limited person. He doesnt
  permit it... Let me give you an example I wanted
  very much to offer new specialisation in our
  university The ministry didnt do so If
  technologies are to advance in our state... that
  specialisation was neccessary.

51
Mass MediaCensorship

• Pro-government
• Internal Glavlit.
• Sensing the acceptable boundaries of FoE
• When, 5 years ago, Tigran Naghdalyan said harsh
  things, the nexty day they shot him. Today I am
  saying the same things but they are not killing
  me. And if tomorrow someone comes and says even
  harsher things, but they shoot him, then my
  freedom is right. If they dont shoot him, then
  we will go toward higher levels of freedom.
• It is very important before implementing FoE
  to assess the risks and assess the limit.
• The uselessness and ineffectiveness of FoE
• You must see the results of what you say. If I
  say on air that the head of the district, X, is
  working badly but the next day they give him the
  Military Cross medal, next time I will not
  speak out, as it will look ridiculous.
• The low level of FoE demanded by the journalistic
  community
• (Especially) TV reporters on the whole do not
  comprehend that it is possible that the
  boundaries to FoE are much wider than they
  imagine... that they should have much more FoE
  than they have today.

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
52
Mass MediaCensorship

• Pro-government and opposition
• Self-censorship in issues of national security
• I will not discuss the army, because I think
  that we are nation at war, and any mention of the
  army may damage the army or damage the legal
  stereotypes in the minds of the young men going
  in to the army. With that I am causing double the
  damage.
• Coercion, violence and threats by the authorities
  and law-enforcement bodies
• Christs commandments are FoE, right? The man
  said clever things, but there were no results.
  But there is the other problem. Christ said his
  FoE nevertheless and it had a result, they
  crucified the man. Nothing has changed from
  Christs time to the present. Only the
  technologies have changed. Nowadays, they dont
  crucify, they incarcerate they dont crucify,
  they close down they dont crucify, they
  dismiss. In reality that is a big thing.

53
Mass MediaCensorship

• Opposition
• Filtering of information by the authorities and
  law-enforcement bodies
• Theres the police And these leaflets are
  posted with their support. Keep your hands off
  the Apostolic church But the leaflets posted on
  walls about a permitted meeting suddenly
  disappear in half an hour. The skinheads of the
  oligarcs, the police, prosecutors office and the
  whole of the law-enforcement system (hinder it).
• Ordering of information to be, or not to be,
  published by the authorities
• Prior to each election. Grigor Amalyan and the
  presidents residency, collect all the heads of
  the mass media and say, You must do this, you
  must do this.

54
Mass mediaObstacles to FoE

• Coercion, violence and threats by the
  authorities, law-enforcement bodies and other
  offices
• Dont think that... for him (name of a media
  head) confronting that enormous machine, which is
  called government, with its claws (was easy)
  That octopus that was (on the one hand) Viktor
  Soghomonyan, Robert Kocharyans spokesman on
  another hand, the KGB on the third hand, there
  was Grigor Amalyan the fourth was the police
  the fifth was the customs (Inspectorate) and so
  on and so on. It is trying to put pressure on you
  from several sides.
• The uselessness and ineffectiveness of FoE
• There have been occasions when I felt that it is
  pointless (expressing oneself). There will be no
  result.

55
Mass mediaObstacles to FoE

• The atmosphere of fear and expectation of
  punishment, in journalists
• They have come... requested frames from March
  1... We have said, But people, you yourselves
  have shot film. They have asked us not to speak
  about this to anyone and have told us that if
  they speak about our political events they do so
  in bathrooms, so that no one should see or hear
• The atmosphere of fear and expectation of
  punishment, in society
• Lets take the complaints They call I say,
  Fine, we will mention it but we need you to say
  it. They say, No, what do you mean?... What if
  they should see us, or hear us or recognise us.
  They will throw us out of the institute
  altogether Or one says. I have a child. The
  other says, My son is in the army.

56
Political PartiesCensorship

• Pro-government
• Internal Glavlit
• Avoidance of being taken advantage of by other
  powers
• I cannot be absolutely free when discussing my
  issues with a representative of another political
  power as I will have ny doubts that it may in
  some way, somehow be exploited. And that creates
  some sort of impedement. An impediment is placed
  in relationships.
• Party solidarity
• It is not always that, shall we say, during
  certain votes, that I am in agreement with the
  vote that the political coalition is taking And
  I, as a representative of the X party... must
  be able to obey the game rules of the coalition
  I have tried not to break the game rules...

57
Political PartiesCensorship

• Opposition
• Coercion, violence and threats by the authorities
  and law-enforcement bodies
• In one case they saw (that) no, this is getting
  serious. X (a high-ranking official) came and
  tried to negotiate. He suggested cetain things
  renumeration with zeros, and other I dont
  know whats. It was unsuccessful they began
  blackmailing, frightening That also didnt work.
  He began criminal persecution up to and including
  accusation. That also didnt work But I want to
  say, you encounter such things during your work
  in that job.
• Restrictions, by the authorities, on the
  dissemination of information (particularly with
  respect to the media)
• It is continually violated Right now, if I want
  to call a meeting, they wont allow it. If I want
  to disseminate an anouncement about that meeting
  through the media. They wont permit it....

58
Political PartiesObstacles to FoE

• The inadequate level of civil consciousness of
  the audience (society, community)
• In the plot (not subject to sale) adjacent to
  Xs land they are erecting some booths and the
  local residents had not allowed... but... they
  have brought and erected them. (I said) Lets go
  and picket. What did they reply? We are
  intelligent people, we are lecturers, etc. It
  doesnt become us to picket. Here we see
  their... culture, education... they think that it
  is unsuitable for them to picket.
• High-ranking officials (courts, etc.) being
  liable to blackmail
• For any judge... There exists in NDA a huge file
  concerning the illegal acts they have committed,
  (with) which they can put pressure on them at any
  time. That same judge who understands that he
  must not go against his conscience he,
  nevertheless, will do so he is so tarnished. The
  most independent people today are those, who do
  not have a dossier on them collected by the
  special services.

59
The Institute of the Human Rights
DefenderCensorship and Obstacles to FoE

• Censorship
• Someone had said something about one of the
  oligarchs. They caught him, took him and beat
  him. Then they began to search, who did the
  beating? They couldnt find him....
• Obstacles to FoE
• There can be no obstacle in our specialized
  field as our professional activity today is the
  elimination of obstacles.

60
Methods for Improving the State of
FoESuggestions from In-depth Interviews

• Struggle within the framework of the law, for
  personal rights
• Show success stories that have occurred in RA
  (legal cases that have been won, etc.)
• Publicise foreign cases (punishment of officials,
  equality in the eyes of the law, etc.)
• Restrictions on the governments censorship
  leverage and rights

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.
61
Methods for Improving the State of
FoESuggestions from In-depth Interviews

• Raising the level of legal awareness in society
• Restore and propagate the historic (lost) figure
  of the Armenian as a freedom fighter
• Creation of precedents (female social and
  political figures, etc.)

For example Women 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.
62
Sources

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  Validating the Willingness to Self-Censor Scale
  Individual Differences in the Effect of the
  Climate of Opinion on Opinion Expression. 2005.
• Andrew Hayes, Dietram Scheufele, Michael Huge.
  Nonparticipation as Self-Censorship Publicly
  Observable Political Activity in a Polarized
  Opinion Climate. 2006.
• Barry P. McDonald. Speech and Distrust
  Rethinking the Content Approach to Protecting the
  Freedom of Expression. 2006.
• Beate Müller. Censorship and Cultural Regulation
  Mapping the Territory. 2003.
• Bruce Barry. The Cringing and the Craven Freedom
  of Expression In, Around, and Beyond the
  Workplace. 2006
• Craig Depken. The Demand for Censorship. 2003.
• Curry Jansen, B. Martin. Making Censorship
  Backfire. 2003.

63
Sources

• David Guinn. Philosophy and Theory of Freedom of
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• David Strauss. Persuasion, Autonomy, and Freedom
  of Expression. 1991.
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64
Sources

• Jennifer Lambe. Dimensions of Censorship
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• Toby Huff. Freedom of Expression in the Muslim
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• ????? ??????, ????? ??????. ??????????
  ??????????????? ??????????. ??????? ?? ??????????
  ??????. 1995.
• ???? ??????. ?????????? ???????????? ?
  ????????????? ??????. 1987.
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• ?????? ??????. ?????????? ?????? ? ??????????
  ?????????. (??????????????? ????????????).
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• ???? ?????????. ?? ???????????? ????????????? ?
  ??????????. 1992.
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