PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE INTRODUCTION OF AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON TELEVISION AND RADIO

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 18:23 AMT 13:23 GMT

Speaker of the Armenian parliament Hovik Abrahamyan said that
the submitted bill on introduction of amendments to the RA Law on
Television and Radio does not solve all the problems related to
digitalization of television and radio programs.

As PanARMENIAN.Net parliamentary correspondent reports, the Speaker
believes that the bill does not specify the activity and role of the
regulating body during the process of digitalization and after it.

"In addition, the bill does not define the role of the National
Committee on Radio and Television and the Ministry of Economy, which
has submitted it," Abrahamyan said.

According to him, the bill foresees opportunity of private TV stations
to create their own broadcasting network after the digitalization.

Meanwhile, under the law, the state holds a monopoly for
rebroadcasting.

"However, I suggest that the bill should be adopted in the first
reading for subsequent hearings in the relevant committee," said
Abrahamyan.

The bill envisages organization of a tender for licensing of 18
frequencies, starting July 1, 2010.