Armenia’s National Assembly, by a vote of 63 to 26, today approved a package of bills that would prohibit reporters from attending Yerevan Municipal Council sessions and would make government cabinet sessions closed-door affairs.

The package was presented by Minister of Justice Davit Harutyunyan.

“All of us must be able to perform our duties without hindrance. Reporters here can record sessions, providing them a greater opportunity to do their job. We don’t bother them, and they don’t bother us,” Harutyunyan said, referring to the fact that reporters covering Yerevan Municipal Council sessions would follow the proceedings from a separate room, just like reporters covering parliamentary session.

It would be up to the prime minister to decide what information, if any, to make public regarding cabinet session proceedings.