Despite the increasing summer heat and after having endorsed the government program Armenia’s newly elected parliament did not nevertheless recess to enjoy its well-deserved rest, but stayed on and began its legislative activity with an extraordinary session. This activity started with discussion of quite important draft laws, which relate to such key areas as tax system and mass media. Apparently the very importance of these draft laws was the reason that the parliament immediately undertook convening sessions. Two of the discussed draft laws caught public attention. One of the draft laws is a legacy of the previous parliament for the newly elected one. It is concerned with the draft law On Television and Radio, which was presented to the previous National Assembly and was later withdrawn for further elaboration. This draft law already at its initial stage caused dissatisfaction of NGOs dealing with mass media issues. Now, added to the law On Television and Radio is also the law On State Dues, which also will have relation to the media field. More specifically, according to the assessment of NGOs and opposition parties, the draft laws presented to the National Assembly pursue one aim, i.e. to block the broadcasting of the Liberty radio station through public radio.

A change is proposed in the article 28 of the law On Television and Radio. Currently it is worded in the following way: “The activity of other broadcasting organizations is forbidden on public television company frequencies without the agreement of the Public Television and Radio company’s council.” It is suggested to remove “without the agreement of the Public Television and Radio Company’s council” from the draft law. As a result, irrespective of this council’s agreement Liberty will not be broadcast on public radio. As regards the second draft law it is proposed to amend article 19 of the RA law on State Dues, where the following words are added: “For each release of programs of a foreign mass medium’s national editorial office or service by the Television and Radio company of the Republic of Armenia to be charged the 70 times of the base dues.” It means that if any television and radio company decides to relay Liberty, it will have to pay for each program seventy thousand drams in state dues, The Armenian Times writes.

The majority of the parliament and its coalition ally, i.e. the duet of the Armenian Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia Party are in favor of the law and state that it has nothing to do with the Liberty radio station. However, with respect to this quite a noteworthy incident has taken place in the parliament. The Chairman of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan has stated that these laws have nothing to do with the Liberty radio station since it is not a broadcaster in Armenia and those who say that it relates to Liberty are busy with political provocations. “He did not know for certain that in the first half of the day during his conversation with reporters Gevork Danelyan, the newly appointed Minister of Justice of RA, who had introduced the drafts to the National Assembly, unequivocally stated that this law would impact the Liberty radio station,” a correspondent of the Armenian Times observed.

Unlike the parliament’s majority, almost all opposition parties, including The Rule of Law Country Party and Heritage Party are of the opinion that the draft laws are for closing down the Liberty radio station. Of the same opinion are also NGOs dealing with mass media laws and in general with the field, as well as journalists’ unions. They believe that it is an encroachment on the freedom of speech and an attempt to stop the activities of the only broadcasting impartial mass medium. The opposition believes that the authorities are thus trying, prior to presidential elections, to check the activities of the only one of broadcasting media, which provides impartial information and is accessible by people on the entire territory of the republic.

Miklosh Harashti, the OSCE representative for freedom of press, has also considered the issue. In his letter to the Chairman of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan he noted that Liberty is an alternative source of information, which provides comprehensive information, the need for which is especially telling during elections. The changes introduced in the National Assembly contradict the OSCE recommendations, which provide for comprehensiveness and free dissemination of information through mass media.

However, the previous week the draft laws were already voted upon and adopted at the first reading. Those who voted in favor of the draft laws include the coalition of the Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia, as well as their partner the Revolutionary Federation, which did not come up with a clear position during the discussion stage. The Rule of Law Country Party and Heritage Party voted against the draft laws. The current week will provide a response as to whether the draft laws will be adopted the way they are at the second reading or under public, and perhaps also international pressure the authorities will introduce changes. According to the Armenian Times, “the Draft law was developed by the presidential office. It is well known that during at least the past year Viktor Soghomonyan, the RA President’s Press Secretary, having put all the other work aside, has been monitoring by seconds as to what part of its air time Liberty has been allocating to the coverage of the opposition and what part to the authorities. He has been actively involved in correspondence with both Liberty itself and the US Embassy in Armenia and has stated his concerns in writing. And R. Kocharyan made transparent hints to journalists about his intention to close down Liberty during traditional New Year celebration reception. So, there is not going to be any surprise here, and irrespective of justifications Liberty will not be relayed at least by public radio, and this has already been decided. By the way, the agreement between Liberty and Public Radio expired this February. The management of the Public Radio refused to extend the agreement, however, it did not come up with any official explanation”.

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