A press conference was called today to announce the publication of an extensive report entitled,"Violence, intimidation and legal cases against journalists and the media in Armenia 2010".  The report, published by the Investigative Journalists, NGO, with OSCE assistance, highlights acts of violence and legal intimidation, directed at journalist and reporters in Armenia over the past two years. Participating at the report launch were Karel Hofstran , OSCE Deputy Director in Armenia and Liana Sayadyan, Deputy Editor of "Hetq". Karel Hofstran noted the importance of the report’s subject, both for Armenia and worldwide, and stated that principles guaranteeing the freedom of the press have constantly been validated by various international conventions. The report is a compilation of articles already published in the pages of Hetq and that most of the assaults against journalists featured remain unresolved. The OSCE official said that the organization would continue to assist "Hetq" for the vital contribution it renders to the Armenian public. Criminal cases initiated by the courts regarding attacks on journalists are also analyzed from a legal viewpoint, based on Armenian constitutional law and international legal norms. "Hetq" Deputy Editor Liana Sayadyan said that during the past two years there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of assaults and other acts of intolerance against reporters worldwide. She stated that 76 reporters have been killed during the past two years and that in the first two months of 2010, four reporters have been murdered and 190 arrested. "There has been a parallel rise in violence and intimidation directed against reporters in Armenia as well. During the past two decades, one sees a clear tendency to silence the voice of journalist, especially during politically active years. There has been no visible political will on the part of Armenian law enforcement to expose those who plan and commit such violence," Liana Sayadyan said.