Several days before the elections of the head of administration of Kentron
community of Yerevan (that took place on September 28, 2008), one of the two
running candidates, Board Chairman of the Armenian National Movement Ararat
Zurabian announced that a number TV companies refused to broadcast his election
campaign materials. According to Ararat Zurabian, only two TV companies agreed
– “Yerkir Media” and “ALM”. However, the advertisement was aired by “Yerkir
Media” only once, and “ALM” broadcasted it during one day only.
Member of the Armenian National Movement Board Aram Manukian told YPC that,
as agreed upon with “ALM”, Ararat Zurabian’s political advertisement had to
be aired during two days, yet it was not broadcasted on the second day due to
“the pressure exert upon the TV company”. Regarding “Yerkir Media”, Aram Manukian
said that the agreement was annulled unilaterally by the TV company.
Director of the News and Current Affairs Programs of “Yerkir Media” Gegham
Manukian explained YPC that Ararat Zurabian’s advertisement was accepted by
the relevant department by mistake. Gegham Manukian pointed out that during
those elections ”Yerkir Media” decided not to offer air for campaign materials
of the candidates to the local self-administration bodies. “We did not offer
air to the other candidate, acting head of Kentron community Gagik Beglarian,
and were not going to do it for Ararat Zurabian. That is why after the first
demonstration of the advertisement it was stopped, and Ararat Zurabian was informed
about it”, stressed Gegham Manukian.
