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IN PROTECTION OF RFE/RL
[06:40 pm] 29 June, 2007

The draft laws on `Introducing Amendment to the RA Law `On Television
and Radio” and `On Introducing an Addition to the RA Law `On State
Duty”, presented at the extraordinary session of the National
Assembly upon the initiative of the RA Government, signify that the
Armenian authorities are consistent in adhering to the vicious policy
of the recent years, aimed at restricting and suppressing the freedom
of expression and media.

For many times already has the Government hastily submitted draft
media-related laws to the National Assembly – in secrecy, without
consulting the civil society, media representatives, experts, even
without the opinion of the appropriate committee of the National
Assembly. What issues, vital for the country and the society, are
these two draft laws to solve that they had to be necessarily
considered at an extraordinary session, instead of being included into
the agenda of the ordinary session, following all the procedures that
the law provides for? The draft authors have not presented any
convincing arguments as to the urgency of their adoption at this very
moment.

This way of acting, when hasty amendments are proposed in broadcasting
legislation, with no heed for the domain specifics and the legislation
rationale, is becoming a tradition: it suffices to remember that in
September 2006, too, the Government presented to the National Assembly
the draft law `On Introducing Amendments and Additions to the RA Law
`On Television and Radio” with the same haste. The draft caused the
dissatisfaction of the journalistic community and was ultimately
rejected by the NA. However, in February 2007, the Government had
another unacceptable draft law passed, ignoring all the proposals
made.

The analysis of the draft laws, presented to the NA today, shows that
they are primarily directed against the only broadcast medium out of
the control of the RA authorities – the Armenian Service of Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty, because their adoption in essence will stop the
broadcasting of the programs of the Service on Armenian radio
waves. The adoption of these draft laws will also damage the
reputation of the newly-elected National Assembly that will have
displayed itself as the adversary of democracy, of freedom of
expression by the very first laws passed.

We have always insisted that legislative changes in this sphere be
made systemically, according to a unified concept, and hence we call
on the RA NA deputies not to vote on the drafts presented by the
Government and to hold public hearing of the legislative package that
seeks to reform the sphere.

The statement was developed by a group of organizations, membering in
the Partnership for Open Society initiative and is open to be joined
by other organizations and individuals at the following address:
members@partnership.am