VICE-SPEAKER OF THE ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT VAHAN HOVANNISYAN: THE SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ON TELEVISION AND RADIO DON’T VIOLATE FREEDOM OF SPEECH
arminfo
2007-06-28 16:13:00
The suggested amendments to the law on television and radio don’t
violate freedom of speech, vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament
Vahan Hovannisyan told ArmInfo correspondent.
To recall, the suggested amendments foresee to stop broadcasting of
foreign radio companies at Public radio and multifold increase of
tax for rebroadcast.
He also added that the amendments don’t lead to violation of freedom
of speech. let us say, Armenian radio broadcast at the BBC. If they
want to broadcast for Armenia so much, let them pay and broadcast
at private radio companies. What is taking place is a painful and
unpleasant but necessary process, – vice-speaker said.
The RPA faction member Armen Ashotyan agrees to Hovannisyan. He told
Arminfo correspondent that in the suggested amendments they mean
regulation of foreign radio companies’ broadcast at the territory
of Armenia and have nothing in common with violation of the freedom
of speech.
The member of the Orinats Yerkir faction Hovannes Markaryan did
not agree to this. He told ArmInfo correspondent that the suggested
amendments is a direct infringement of freedom of speech. The faction
thinks it is unacceptable and is going to vote against adoption of
these amendments. To recall, representatives of the Heritage party
voiced the same position.