YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The ruling “Civil Contract” faction has proposed reducing the minimum number of public broadcasters from three to two. The amendments to the Law on Audiovisual Media were introduced in parliament by MP Taguhi Ghazaryan of the ruling bloc on October 21.
At the same time, she clarified that lowering the minimum threshold does not mean public broadcasters cannot exceed two. Ghazaryan reminded lawmakers that currently, five broadcasters, including both television and radio, are publicly funded, Sputnik Armenia reports.
“Previously, the state made non-competitive procurements worth about d 3 billion drams from a single entity — Shoghakat LLC — over the years,” she noted, adding that the funds could be spent more efficiently. “We believe this money could be used more effectively, especially since the Public Media Environment Foundation will distribute resources for educational and cultural content to all TV channels on the multiplex. That means all stations will have equal competitive access to public funding,” she explained.
Independent MP Gegham Nazaryan pointed out growing public concern that the proposed bill is aimed at shutting down Shoghakat TV.
“Please clarify your position on this concern,” he urged.
Ghazaryan responded that this was not merely a concern or opinion: “we have openly stated this is our goal.”
