YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–A non-governmental journalists’ organization–the Stepanakert Press Club–is expected to be established at the fifth congress of Karabakh journalists scheduled for June 5.
"Karabakh’s mass media is somewhat isolated," said Zhanna Krikorova–head of the Karabakh Press and Information Department–adding that–"Journalists are deprived of direct contacts with their colleagues from other countries–they don’t participate in state and regional seminars–conferences–meetings."
Krikorova said the establishment of the press club will make it possible to break the isolation and solve the problem of integration of Karabakh’s mass media into that of the region.
Krikorova reported that the Press and Information Department will submit a relevant bill to the National Assembly. The bill is based on one presented by the Yerevan Press Club to the Armenian National Assembly. She said that the Yerevan Press Club bill is contemporarily appropriate and juridically competent; it determines the rights and duties of mass media and all structures cooperating with them. New articles were introduced mainly regarding legal restrictions for mass media activities in war time. Provisions from the bills of Baltic countries and Switzerland were also used.
Krikorova also reported that the fist issue of the "Week" information newsletter about Karabakh will be published in the near future.
On June 6–the tenth anniversary of the Karabakh state-run television will be marked said Krikorova. She reported that the television station has new prospects of development mainly due to a generous donation of a new studio by Argentina resident Mr. Ernikian. The new studio will allow the stations to expand its daily air time to six hours and also broadcast live. In addition–said Krikorova–there is hope that the new equipment will enable Karabakh Television to broadcast its programs in Armenia as well.
The Press and Information head also reported that in early June Karabakh will establish a state page on the world wide web–featuring history–geography–politics–government–culture–and much more.
The "Artsakh Herald" Internet page is also under construction.
