David Machkalyan

Affiliated media: Public Television Company of Armenia , Cameraman

Incident date: June 20, 2021

Attack type:

• Illegal impediments to journalistic activity, denial of access to information

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: The Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression (CPFE)

Location: Armenia, Dzoraghbyur

Additional information:

On June 20, on the day of the parliamentary elections at polling station 29/45, where former President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsian was about to vote, the secretary of the election commission tried to obstruct the work of camera operators of the Public Television of Armenia David Machkalyan and the 168.am news website, Henrik Sargsyan. They were banned from filming, saying that journalists presented only accreditation cards issued by the Central Election Commission, while the local commission required them to show their passports as well. Having received this signal, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression contacted the secretary of the commission and, referencing Article 32 of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia, explained that the media representatives only need to have accreditation badges issued by the Central Election Commission, which are required for the registration at the polling station. The incident was over, and the cameramen were able to work.