ACCORDING TO CHAIRMAN OF PUBLIC TELEVISION AND RADIO COMPANY’S COUNCIL, STATE FINANCING GIVEN FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES ONLY
Noyan Tapan
Ma y 14, 2008
YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The state budget-financed Public
Television of Armenia does not ensure citizens’ right to receive free
and balanced information, member of the NA "Heritage" faction Armen
Martirosian stated at the May 14 discussion of the execution of the
2007 state budget at the RA National Assembly.
In his words, last year the activities of the opposition were
hardly covered, except for the campaign of the parliamentary
elections. Instead, various shows and other "incompetible with
our people" programs were excessively demonstrated. A. Martirosian
pointed out that the possibility to broadcast all over Armenia gives
the Public Television a considerable advertisement opportunity.
The chairman of the Public Television and Radio Company’s Council
Alexan Harutyunian said that the state budgetary allocations, whose
amount has not changed since 2003, are provided for broadcasting
all over Armenia and satellite broadcasting abroad, while shows are
prepared with commercial revenues. Accrding to him, the broadcasting
all over Armenia is not sufficient to increase commercial revenues.
He said that starting from September of this year, the number of
political programs and TV debates will grow by nearly 50% and will
be shown almost every day. He announced that the second program of
the Public Television – "New Wave" will demonstrate only cultural
and educational programs from September.