ARMENIA REFUSES TO CONTINUE BROADCAST OF RADIO LIBERTY
Agence France Presse — English
July 26, 2007 Thursday 2:27 AM GMT
Armenia’s state radio refused to extend the contract for broadcasting
the US Congress-funded Radio Liberty’s Armenian service, prompting
fears of a clampdown on independent media.
"The potential end of our very fruitful relationship with Public Radio
has no economic or other legitimate justification," US Broadcasting
Board of Governors (BBG) said Wednesday in a statement.
"Armenians go to the polls in eight months to choose their next
president, and therefore it is particularly important that RFE/RL’s
broadcasts, which are widely respected for their accuracy, objectivity
and timeliness, reach the largest possible audience," BBG added.
Armenia’s parliament earlier this month refused to accept amendments
to the country’s television and radio law, which forbids airing or
re-broadcasting programs produced by foreign companies.
The government also argued that Armenia’s state television and radio
enjoy public funding and should not take up commercial projects.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
