On March 31 at Journalists Union of Armenia a press conference of the representatives
of the country’s several journalistic and human rights organizations was held.
The event announced the start of “A1+” support actions, devoted to the three
years of the TV company’s loss of air. On April 2, 2002 National Commission
on Television and Radio did not provide “A1+” with the broadcast license, and
the numerous attempts of the TV channel (taking part in licensing competitions)
for regaining air failed over these three years.
At the meeting with the journalists, initiators of “A1+” support actions called
for participating in the procession and rally on April 2, 2005. The procession
will start at 12.00 from “A1+” TV building (15 Grigor Lusavorich St., Yerevan)
and will end up in a rally at the Yerevan Freedom Square. A campaign will be
held there on gathering signatures for the petition to RA Ministry of Transport
and Communication to allocate a vacant frequency for conducting a new broadcast
licensing competition.
On March 31, Journalists Union of Armenia, Yerevan Press Club, Internews Armenia
public organization, Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression and Helsinki
Committee of Armenia adopted a joint statement. The statement noted in particular
that assessing “A1+” bids in all the eight competitions as lower than competitive
ones, National Commission on Television and Radio proceeded not from their content
or professional level of the TV company, but complied with the political order
of the authorities. The signatories supported the demand of “A1+” action initiators
urging the NCTR and RA Ministry of Transport and Communication as well as other
competent bodies to allocate a vacant frequency and conduct a new – open and
transparent – licensing competition. The statement of the five public organizations
ended with the call for supporting this civil claim and filing similar addresses
to the National Commission on Television and Radio.
