OSCE PRESENTS EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRAFT PLAN OF ARMENIA

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Nov 22 2006

YEREVAN, 22 November 2006 – An OSCE expert review of Armenia’s draft
plan for digital TV and radio broadcasting in the country was presented
today in Yerevan.

The report highlighted that social and economic issues, as well as
infrastructure development, were key issues of concern when it comes
to ensuring more access to broadcasting in Armenia. It was also
recommended that more attention should be paid to avoid monopolization.

In an address delivered on his behalf in the Armenian capital, Miklos
Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, welcomed
the Armenian Government’s initiative to establish a regulatory basis
for the digitalization of broadcasting media and to encourage a public
discussion on the move.

"This ‘switch-over’ from analogue to digital transmission will
multiply the number of available channels and make state licensing
largely unnecessary," he said in his speech.

Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan said:
"I hope that today’s discussion will help identify the challenges in
making the ‘switch-over’ an achievable and well-managed objective. This
is very important for the safeguarding and promotion of media pluralism
in Armenia."

Following the allocation of a digital terrestrial frequency range
to Armenia by the International Telecommunications Union earlier in
the year, the Armenian authorities drafted an implementation plan
as an initial step to put into practice the changes from analogue to
digital broadcasting. At the request of the Armenian Government, the
OSCE Media Representative, who in an earlier country report on Armenia
had recommended to establish the legislative framework for the switch
to digital broadcasting, provided an expert review on the draft plan.

The presentation of the expert review was organized by the OSCE
Office in Yerevan, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom
of the Media together with the the Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation-Armenia, and the Armenian Ministry of Transport and
Communication.