GOVERNMENT AGREES TO REDUCE STATE DUTY DEFINED FOR BROADCAST OF
PROGRAMS OF OTHER LAUNCHING COMPANIES BY PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION
COMPANY BY 10 THOUSAND DRAMS

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The package of bills of the government,
which envisages to make amendments and addenda in the RA valid Laws on
"Television and Radio," and "State Duty," was discussed by the second
reading of the RA National Assembly in the July 2 special sitting. The
ballot, to all appearances, will be held on July 3.

On the above-mentioned legislative initiative the activities of other
launching organizations are prohibited on the frequencies used by the
Public Radio and Television company. In addition to this, a state duty
of 60 thousand drams (about 176 U.S. dollars) is defined for each
broadcast of radio and television programs of other launching
organizations on the frequencies used by the patent radio and
television company in the Republic of Armenia, in difference to the 70
thousand drams defined by the first reading. In comparison with the
package of the bills adopted by the first reading, it is additionally
set in the law on "Radio and Television" that the launching
organization is entitled to broadcast television and radio programs.

It should also be mentioned that the positions of opponents and those
who were for the adoption of the bills remained the same. The political
coalition gave assurance that the suggested amendments are directed at
the regulation of the public radio and television sphere and cannot
concern the Armenian service of the Azatutiun (Liberty) radio station,
which is broadcasting its programs on the frequencies of the Public
Radio company, as the latter is not a patent launching organization.
The opponents, that is to say Zharangutiun (Heritage) and Orinats
Yerkir (Country of Law) factions, are convinced that the legislative
initiative of the government is, evidently, threatening the further
activities of the Azatutiun radio station in Armenia.