YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"I still consider that information is first of all business and not propaganda. Only through this point of view can we ensure success in this field," said newly-appointed director of the Armenpress news agency Mesrop Harutiunian.
After the Feb. 23 deadline for the reorganization of the agency–it will become a joint stock company with 100 percent of its shares held by the state. Furthermore–49 percent of its shares are likely to be sold.
According to Harutiunian–freedom must be guaranteed in the sphere of information which should not serve as propaganda. "Analysis and commentaries are to a greater extent the business of newspapers. Our primary task is to disseminate urgent and impartial information," he said.
Harutiunian noted that he inherited a good agency from former director Tigran Hakobian–who managed to give the state agency a boost and create good conditions with a rich technical base and qualified staff. "All we need to do is use and develop that base," said Haroutiunian.
According to Harutiunian–because of competition Armenpress’ primary objective should be rapid work with clear and scholarly language. He also suggested development of a foreign market for its news.