On June 24 "Article 19", the Global Campaign for Free Expression, disseminated a statement, expressing its concern over the situation present in the broadcast field of Armenia. According to the statement, after the National Commission on Television and Radio refused broadcast licenses to "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan" TV companies in April 2002, in Armenia "there are now virtually no major independent television stations".
As the statement says, the RA Law "On Television and Radio", adopted in October 2000, establishes the National Commission but fails to ensure its independence, " in clear breach of the right to freedom of expression". The statement quotes the Head of Law Programme at “Article 19” Toby Mendel. In his opinion, “the fact that the National Commission on Television and Radio lacks independence is a fundamental problem in the Armenian broadcasting system". “The present system directly contravenes Recommendation 2000(23) of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Member States on the Independence and Functions of Regulatory Authorities for the Broadcasting Sector, which clearly states that members of broadcast regulators should be appointed in a ‘democratic and transparent manner’", Toby Mendel believes.
"Article 19" called on the Armenian authorities to undertake a full review of the RA Law "On Television and Radio" to bring it into line with international standards. “Recent decisions by the National Commission on Television and Radio should not be implemented until they have been reviewed by an independent body", the statement reads.
