YEREVAN. – The authorities' refusal to give an interview to some media outlets may be linked to manipulative questions from journalists. Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan, who also heads the "Yes" campaign headquarters for the upcoming constitutional referendum, stated this at a meeting with journalists.

Papikyan assured that he has never personally denied any media outlet for political reasons. "There is no political decision not to give an interview to these or those mass media," the minister said. “However, in exercising freedom of speech, they, the mass media, must take into account the fact that the speaker has the right not to answer questions. If I ever refuse to do an interview, (...), I will definitely explain what is the reason for the decision—for political considerations, or another"

Suren Papikyan added that he was ready to accept the invitation to participate in TV debates with representatives of the "No" campaign.