ARMENIA SHOULD LIFT MORATORIUM ON LICENSING BROADCASTERS

A1+
[07:30 pm] 26 September, 2008

VIENNA, 26 September 2008 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media, Miklos Haraszti, today asked the Government of Armenia to
review the recently adopted amendments to the TV and radio law that
introduce a moratorium on issuing new broadcasting licenses until
the planned digital switchover, scheduled to start in 2010.

In a letter to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Haraszti wrote:
"By cutting off any potential applicant broadcasters from entering
the market until 2010, the limited pluralism in Armenia’s broadcasting
sector will be further diminished."

"A moratorium on new licences for analogue transmission
should not be the first step in the transition to digital
broadcasting. Digitalization should not be allowed to reduce diversity
and plurality or preserve a lack thereof. If the broadcasting landscape
in a country is not sufficiently pluralistic and diverse, it would
be appropriate to delay digitalization and undertake other reforms
first," added Haraszti.

He said that the moratorium meant that Armenia will not be able to
comply with the June 2008 decision of the European Court of Human
Rights that upheld the case of television station A1+. In June 2008 the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also urged Armenia to
"ensure an open, fair and transparent licensing procedure" and allow
A1+ to apply for a new licence.

Since the broadcasting licence of A1+ was revoked in March 2002, the
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has repeatedly intervened
with the Government of Armenia in support of the television station.

Haraszti offered his Office’s legal analysis of the amendments and
recommendations, adding: "I hope that, for the sake of pluralism,
the Government of Armenia will review the amendments with the active
participation of all relevant civil society and media stakeholders."

The "Law on Making a Supplement to the Republic of Armenia Law on
Television and Radio" will enter into force on 27 September.