General Information

Internews Media Support NGO promotes freedom of expression and open media. The organization’s activities proceed from the belief that civil society cannot exist apart from independent and strong mass media. Towards this end, Internews organizes training courses for established and emerging journalists, promotes media literacy, advocates for improved media legislation and protects journalists' rights. The NGO develops multi-format information on human rights, European integration, civic conflict, migration, elections, national minorities, gender and many other issues for a wide range of target audiences.

Internews has been working in Armenia since December 1995 as a branch of the US based Internews Network. The Armenian Media Support Internews NGO was registered in 1996. The NGO is a founder and member of Internews International Association.

Internews Mission Statement

To contribute to the development and dissemination of free, independent and pluralistic information through applying creative and innovative approaches, thus assisting in the establishment of democratic values, diverse and harmonious development of the individual and the well-being of the society.

The organization’s goals are:

• to increase Armenian citizens’ access to free, pluralistic and unbiased information;
• to enhance professional development of specialists working in the media sector;
• to use media initiatives for preventing civic conflicts;
• to assist in modernization and technological development of media entities;
• to develop creative thinking and innovative approaches in the development of information;
• to raise citizens’ understanding on the role and functions of media;
• to support the creation of a fair legal environment for media.

The NGO's objetives are:

• to develop and disseminate unique and innovative multi-format information;
• to develop civic journalism;
• to involve people in developing and disseminating information;
• to promote media literacy;
• to conduct training courses for established and emerging journalists and other specialists of the media sector;
• to provide consultancy to mentioned groups;
• to organize professional competitions and festivals;
• to conduct media research;
• to improve the media legislation and self-regulating mechanisms;
• to protect journalists’ rights.

Internews Journalists' Code of Ethics

Internews contributes to the development and dissemination of free, independent and pluralistic information through applying creative and innovative approaches, thus assisting in the establishment of democratic values, diverse and harmonious development of the individual and the well-being of the society. We bear responsibility for the universal mission of establishing and maintaining peace. We support human rights protection and target our professional skills at improving the society.

Here, Internews adopts the following principles of journalists’ work.

    1. F r e e d o m

1.1 We protect freedom of speech. Any restriction to make unimpeded use of information sources endangers our mission to serve the society.

1.2 We denounce all the obstacles to providing and obtaining information, considering it violation of free information.

1.3 We accept the freedom of comments and criticism if it is based on checked facts and is clearly differentiated from suppositions and versions.

    2. J u s t i c e

2.1 Pressures during carrying out professional responsibilities shall not affect presentation of multi-sided, accurate, complete, high-quality and relevant information. It is not permissible to present information for indirect payment, or for the purpose of advertising, nor is it permissible to be an interested party while presenting any kind of information.

2.2 Personal life privacy, copyright, secrecy of the source of information, the right not to convey data to natural persons and legal entities, are always respected. However, they can be put aside if the man and the society face serious and inevitable danger.

2.3 On the way to revealing the reality, unfair ways of finding documents and materials, as well as getting interviews, should be avoided. Data obtained in an indirect way should be checked with special care.

    3. D i g n i t y

3.1 The facts shall not serve the purpose of compromising, insulting, or humiliating a person or an organization. The nationality, race, religion, physical and intellectual conditions of a person shall not be labeled.

3.2 For showing victims of violation, people with incurable or severe diseases, criminals, as well as for publishing their relatives’ names, it is necessary to obtain their consent. Persons that suffer from a severe grief or a psychological shock, as well as people under legal age, should be free from inappropriate pursuits of journalists.

3.3 Significant mistakes, misleading or distorted messages should be immediately checked. The refutations of people and organizations that have suffered from damaged reputation or dignity should be published without major semantic changes.

    4. E q u a l i t y

4.1 We serve all the groups of the society regardless of their political, economic and ideological aspirations. Ties of kinship, family ties, friendship and other relations cannot change the principles of equality that we have adopted.

4.2 We encourage versatile information, not being restricted by obvious, entertaining or superficial information.

4.3 We constantly support and assist all our colleagues and people who are in sympathy with us. We help everybody who, based on their purposes, vocations, jobs and professions, applies to us.

    5. T o l e r a n c e

5.1 Tolerance is the supreme factor of our activities. We consider persons belonging to different religions, nationalities, races and political parties to be full members of the society that have the right to inform and to be informed.

5.2 We consistently do our best to create guarantees for information independence. However, we understand that we shouldn’t split the society by our activities, nor should we condemn any public, political and civil initiatives.

These are the main principles of our activities. We are obligated not to ever abuse them for personal, material purposes, for the purposes of propaganda, libeling, as well as for fulfilling direct or indirect orders, distorting or hiding information. We are obligated to be guided by this code of ethics in our daily work.