Article 27: Right to Freedom of Expression talk show series was launched in 2009, when Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) started implementing the Freedom of Expression project supported by the British Embassy in Yerevan. The show is on air to date, with the 25th talk show on Armenia-Azerbaijan ‘neither war, nor peace' situation broadcast on May 11, 2011.
The series were launched to openly discuss sensitive issues related to freedom of expression on TV using locally or internationally produced documentaries on freedom of expression. Topics included national security, right to freedom of assembly and freedom of information, submissive daughters-in-law, contemporary art, tacit infiltration of poetry into everyday life, diplomatic role of rock-and-roll in the Armenian reality and protection of property rights.
After March 1, 2008 events, this opportunity to go on TV with sensitive issues became the best way for EPF to somehow help the forming of public opinion in the battered and shocked country, and to demonstrate that even in the most divisive circumstances dialogue is possible across opinions and political interests.
Over time, the range of topics widened, encompassing a variety of other issues, such as Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, youth leadership and young people’s perspectives on these issues.
To ensure a wide spectrum of views on the discussed subjects, journalists, representatives of government agencies and civil society, experts, professors and students are invited to participate in the talk shows. They give voice not only to the people of the capital but also to those in the regions of Armenia who are usually deprived from the opportunity to publicly express their views.
The channel that took up EPF’s call was Yerkir Media TV. Boris Navasardyan, President of Yerevan Press Club has been anchoring the show since its early days.
In 2009, 12 guests took part in each talk show, however since 2010 EPF has changed the format, limiting the number of invitees to six people. Also, the design of the studio set has been enhanced to increase the visual appeal for viewers.
The format of Article 27 presupposes a video material or a documentary that is no longer than 15 minutes accompanied by a discussion that lasts another 45 minutes.
All shows are broadcast twice by Yerkir Media TV, recently also via satellite, and rebroadcast by Hamaspyur regional TVs network in five regions of Armenia.
According to the rating by AGB Nielsen Media Research Company, only in Yerevan the talk shows had 3,000 viewers on average per airing, while some topics could bring the number up to 17,000 in the capital alone.
Another set of talk shows on Armenia-Azerbaijan internet media and bloggers’ ‘war’, Armenia-Turkey media bias study, Freedom of Expression Day (May 3), European values in Armenia, education and youth leadership, corruption, civic leadership, and other issues will be on air shortly.
05 February 2012
Please watch an interview conducted by CivilNet with Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator on Social Cohesion Survey done by EPF/CRRC
05 February 2012
Turkish and Armenian NGOs and civil society groups continue to pursue «second track diplomacy» to maintain momentum.
23 January 2012
Eurasia Partnership Foundation announces the annual open competition entitled New Content and New Technologies as part of the “Alternative Resources in Media” program. More informataion on proposal requirements and selection criteria can be found below.
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