On October 3, during the ordinary Parliament four-day session, a voting on two draft laws on the RA National Assembly Regulations was made. As it has been reported, one of the drafts, the package of amendments to the acting RA Law “RA NA Regulations”, was developed by a number of deputies, representing various political forces. The other, a completely new draft, was developed by the parliament faction of the United Labor Party. The discussion of the documents at the previous session of September 11-14, among other issues, referred to the issue of mandatory coverage of parliamentary activities on the air of Public Television of Armenia (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 15-21, 2006).
As a result of voting on October 3, the package of amendments to the RA NA Regulations was adopted in the first hearing, and the draft, presented by United Labor Party faction – declined. The amendments do not refer to the provisions of the acting Regulations (of February 20, 2002), stipulating broadcasting of parliamentary programs on specific days and hours on PTA First Channel. This, in the opinion of Public TV and Radio Company of Armenia, restricts its editorial independence and the right to use the air time at its own discretion.
