THE "DOSE" OF THE GOVERNMENT

Lragir.am
08/02/10

The release of the draft on the prohibition to show scenes of erotica,
violence, horror as well as other which leave negative influence on
minors aroused notable response. But the response of those subjects
who will be directly affected by this law is interesting. The point
is about TV channels.

The feeling is that the TV channels have been waiting for this draft
of the National Commission on TV and Radio from childhood. None of
the TV channels has serious dissatisfaction about the draft. The draft
of the commission seems to suppose for serous changes in the TV air,
but the TV channels do not have anything to say in this connection.

Perhaps they are happy and content.

The impression is that the airtime policy was not worked out by them
but by someone else and the channels were waiting for the commission
to work out relevant criteria to free them from the forced airtime.

On the other hand, it is quite a possible version. The point is that
the Armenian TV air passed to its current content very sharply.

"Criminal dramas" or "criminal melodramas" began being shot very
quickly, comedy shows became regular very quickly and gathering in
a club and laughing became an important component of the "glamorous"
life.

The synchronization of this and other "metamorphoses" hints that
all this is governed by the same centre because TV channels are not
likely to carry out so harmonious and "team" policy. And the fact
that TV channels are happy and content creates ground to think that
they were forced to agree with that policy.

As to the reason why such a policy could be forced can be only
guessed. For example, such airtime "worshiping criminality" could be
expedient in the period when the opposition of the country managed
to set the difference between the system of civil values and criminal
ones in the social life of the country. The propaganda of the criminal
life by the airtime that has always been equipment in the hands of
the government could have the aim to make that line disappear. Maybe
they tried to convince that criminality is not such a bad thing and
even a good one, a just one.

Apparently, it was supposed that the border is completely blurred,
and there is a need for another broadcast. It is no coincidence that
power thought of "decriminalization" of ether several months ago,
but specific measures have been taken just now. And yet it is not
known how much water will leak while the criteria draft will result
in a public canon. It is possible that months will pass until the
government finally convinces that it was able to form enough sympathy
for the criminal world within the society which will not enable the
formation of a "black-white" differentiation.

Well, in any case, they can always use the option "at the request of
many viewers". Nothing can prevent the start of the same TV series
if suddenly seem that the effect of "dose" weakens.

HAKOB BADALYAN p.s. The absence of dissatisfaction within channels may
be due to other reasons – they have no choice but to be satisfied with
any decision of the authorities because they are not free, not only
in their broadcasting policy, but also in their thoughts and feelings.