Washington briefing: OSCE Yerevan Office helping to improve police-media relations

by M. T.

Published: Saturday October 31, 2009

Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos. Tigran Tadevosian / Photolure

Yerevan - An OSCE-supported workshop to promote cooperation between police and the media was held on October 26 in Armenia's northern Lori province, Armenpress reports.

Some 40 local police officers and journalists discussed police-media relations, challenges, problems, and possible solutions.

The head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos said, "A democratic police plays an essential role in providing a safe society, and relies on public trust. Transparent police, combined with effective communication between police and media can help build such trust."

Those participating in the workshop discussed journalists' access to information from the police and the importance of accurate and responsible reporting, as well as police systems for accountability, priorities in criminal investigation, and sensitive cases.

"This workshop is the first time that the regional police and media representatives met together to discuss issues of concern," said Col. Anubagh Hambaryan, Head of the Lori province's police department. "The workshop was a good opportunity for local police and journalists to consider ways to co-operate more effectively."