Armenian authorities' initiative to increase compensation for slander triggers criticism

Alen Simonyan, Vice-Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, has initiated amendments to the Civil Code aimed at a five-fold increase of the compensation amount for libel and insult. The Armenian Union of Journalists has opposed the initiative, treating it as an attempt to restrict the freedom of speech. Analysts believe that in this way, authorities are trying to protect themselves from criticism.

According to the amendments, it is proposed to increase the compensation for insult fivefold – from one million drams (over USD 2000) up to five million (over USD 10,000), and for libel (slander) – from two million drams (about USD 4000) up to 10 million (about USD 20,500).

The initiative will become an authorities' tool aimed at restricting the freedom of speech in general and the media freedom, in particular, said the statement of the Armenian Union of Journalists posted on the Facebook. The authors of the statement believe that the amendments are contrary to the country's international obligations and damage the foundations of democracy.

Shushan Doidoyan, Director of the Freedom of Information Centre, has called the amendments to the Civil Code inefficient. "The bona fide media will be under threat; while those who write custom-made articles will continue their vicious practice. Ten million drams is a large sum for Armenia; it will drive media to bankruptcy," she has stated.

Armen Vardanyan, a political analyst, believes that authorities are trying to protect themselves by initiating the above amendments.

"After the revolution, former authorities have invested millions into the resources that are spreading fake news, which are now affecting authorities' ratings," Mr Vardanyan has explained.