CC’S FEBRUARY 16 DECISION TO LIMIT OPPOSITION’S AGITATION POSSIBILITIES
Noyan Tapan
Feb 19 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "We estimate both rise of
tariffs for paid TV broadcast in the preelection period and the
Constitutional Court’s (CC) February 16 decision as steps aimed at
limiting opposition’s opportunities of agitation," Stepan Demirchian,
Chairman of People’s Party of Armenia, leader of RA NA Ardarutiun
(Justice) faction, said on February 19, in response to Noyan Tapan
correspondent’s question. By CC’s above mentioned decision, a number
of provisions of NA Regulations were recognized as invalid and
contradicting to constitutional provisions on state’s guaranteeing
freedom of media, as well as independent activity of Public Radio
and Television. Among these provisions of NA Regulations are the
requirement relating to showing by Public Television recordings
of sittings dedicated to deputies’ statements and government-NA
question and answer, as well as the Parliamentary Week TV broadcast
in terms stipulated by NA Regulations. Besides, the provision on live
broadcast of NA sittings on Public Radio Company, as well as the point
of Regulations, according to which NA can make a decision on showing
NA sitting on live broadcast or by recording on Public Television
was also invalidated. RA President has applied to CC for the purpose
of clearing up correspondence of the above mentioned provisions to
the Constitution. The parliament sittings have been shown by Public
(formerly State) Television live broadcast since 1990 and the
recordings of government-NA question and answer and statements,
respectively, have been shown since adoption of NA Regulations
in 1995 and amendments made to the Regulations in 1998. As Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed by Rafik Petrosian, Chairman of
NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Issues, member of People’s
Deputy MP group, member of RPA, CC did not respect the request of the
respondent, NA official representative, and did not delay fulfilment
of its decision by 2-3 months. In his words, this request pursued
the goal not to deprive the opposition of opportunity to broadcast
its statements and NA of ensuring publicity of its activity. In the
MP’s opinion, a situation is formed when NA withdrawing the above
mentioned provisions from NA Regulations currently "has nothing
to put in their place," as the above mentioned broadcasts can be
transmitted only by agreements with TV and radio companies, but
the respective budget financing, as well as making of amendments to
the law "On Television and Radio" is needed for this. But the NA of
current convocation will not manage to make these amendments until
the expiration of its powers. In R. Petrosian’s words, "in fact,
this has become a political issue," which is currently at the stage
of discussion, so, he found it difficult to forecast in what form the
draft amendments to Regulations included in the February 20 special
sitting’s agenda in second reading will be adopted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
