arminfo
2007-02-15 20:16:00

ARMENIAN EXPERTS CRITICIZE DRAFT LAW ON TV AND RADIO WORKED OUT BY
ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTRY

Armenian experts criticized the draft law on television and radio
worked out by the Armenian Justice
Ministry.

During today’s press-conference at the «Friday» discussion club,
Chairman of the Yerevan press-club Boris Navasardyan reminded that the
first version of the draft law was torpedoed by the Armenian

Parliament in 2006. Now, the Justice Ministry has prepared the second
version which, probably, will be soon adopted and approved by the
President if one takes into account the CE’s demands, the adoption of
amendments to the Armenian Constitution, and the forthcoming
parliamentary elections. Particularly, B.Navasardyan dwelled upon the
draft law’s item which regulates the principle of forming the National
Commission on TV and Radio. It is proposed to form a commission
consisting of 8 members, 4 of them being appointed by President, and
the rest – by Parliament. However, it is clear that Parliament will
cease working properly in March due to the elections, and at least one
seat from Parliament will remain vacant in the Commission, so the
members appointed by President will gain the majority of seats,
B.Navasardyan considers. He also emphasized that the present debate is
the last chance to change something in the law, as the Armenian and
international communities are likely to revert to the document after
its adoption.

Nune Sargsyan, the head of the Internews public organization, who also
took part in the discussion, pointed out the amazing indifference to
the debates of tele-media representatives, and David Sandukhchyan, the
lawyer of the same organization, noted that the document prepared by
Justice Ministry is direct evidence of the authorities’ intention to
take control of all the e-media.