Robert Attechyan of Istanbul-based Marmara newspaper and Hakob Avetikyan, editor-in-chief of Azg newspaper, Yerevan, were honored with Golden Pen award during a ceremony held in the Union of Journalists of Armenia.

"There were many candidates but the best were awarded," said Rafik Hovhannisyan, Deputy Culture Minister of Armenia. "Some complain that young journalists are not awarded but the point is that Golden Pen is an academic award. It's given to mature journalists."

As an alternative, Hakob Avetikyan jestingly offered to honor young journalists with silver of bronze pens.