The Public TV and Public Radio will do everything possible to maintain
the positive evaluation
14.01.2008 18:08

Alisa Gevorgyan
"Radiolur"

President of the Council of Public Television and Radio Company of
Armenia Alexan Harutyunyan told a press conference today that
everything possible will be done to maintain the positive assessment of
the activity of the Public Television and the Public Radio by
international organizations after the two previous countrywide
elections. Alexan Harutyunyan also turned to the main programs of the
Council for 2008, most of which are targeted at shooting films.

On the whole, the assessment of the activity of the Public Television
and the Public Radio during the previous elections was positive.
According to the President of the Council of Public Television and
Radio Company of Armenia Alexan Harutyunyan, everything possible will
be done to maintain the positive evaluation after the presidential
elections. In compliance with law, every presidential contender will be
provided with 60 minutes free and 120 minutes paid air time on Public
TV and 120 minutes free and 180 minutes paid air time on Public Radio.
Besides, in case there is a run-off, debates will be organized.
However, debates are excluded in the first round. `It’s very hard to
decide who will debate with whom. Besides, the past experience shows
that such debates are not particularly effective. Instead, both the
Public Television and the Public Radio will organize series of programs
in the shape of interviews with all nine presidential contenders,’ the
President of the Council noted.

According to Mr. Harutyunyan, during this election campaign attempts
are made to invite notorious international organizations to conduct
public opinion polls in Armenia. `We think it is very important, since
we all know that there is mistrust in the activity of the Armenian
sociological organizations, although I do not agree with that. I think
there are serious organizations here. Anyway, today we are mainly
negotiating with the famous English `Pop News’ organization and they
may possibly conduct a survey on the day of the elections and another
one following the poll. It will be very important from the perspective
of ensuring the transparency of the elections.’

Alexan Harutyunyan also turned to the main programs of the Council of
Public Television and Radio Company in 2008. In May Sirusho will
represent Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade. Most
probably, the song will be elected through a TV-voting in February.
According to the President of the Council of Public Television and
Radio Company, the main programs are aimed at shooting new films. The
shooting of two television serials is underway.

According to Alexan Harutyunyan, the National Music Award has undergone
some changes. From now on it will be held in the first quarter of the
year and will be conducted jointly with the Ministry of Culture. It
will embrace not only the sphere of pop music, but also the whole
palette of the Armenian music, including popular and folk music, jazz,
rock, etc.