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Seda Ghukasyan

Armenian Parliament Passes Bill Holding Media Outlets Responsible for "Fake Source" Content

The Armenian National Assembly today, by a vote of 62-25, approved a package of bills that will hold the media accountable for using slanderous and defamatory information culled from “unidentifiable” sources.

The controversial government bill defines “unidentifiable” sources as a domain, hosted site, a social media account, a telegram channel, a website or application registered on the internet with no information about its management, or with false or incomplete information.

Basically, the changes say media outlets will be ultimately responsible for using such “fake” sources.

Following today’s vote at the second reading, the package now goes to Armenian President Armen Sarkissian for signing into law.

The changes to Civil Code on Mass Media will also hold media outlets accountable if they fail to submit timely and comprehensive financial reports and identification data. Those in violation face having their accreditation withdrawn.

Backers of the changes argue that new social platforms are growing daily and that many disseminate fake news. They claim that the amendments will help stop the spread of disinformation.

Pro-government Civil Contract MPs voted for the bill. Opposition Hayastan faction MPs voted against it.

Late last year, the Armenian parliament passed a government-backed bill tripling maximum legal fines for defamation.

 

Comments (1)

Garo Balyan
The Armenian parliament has no value, and vast majority of its members are criminals.

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