On January 21 the RA Central Election Commission made a resolution on the procedure
and the schedule of air provision by public television and public radio to Armenian
presidential candidates for their pre-election promotion.
The succession of candidates’ access to air is defined by schedule made through
random selection and approved by CEC. The air for pre-election promotion is
provided to candidates daily – from January 23 to February 17. The political
advertising is broadcast on the First Channel of the Public Television of Armenia,
and on frequencies 69.77 MHz, 1395 kHz and the nationwide FM network of Public
Radio of Armenia; the public broadcasters ensure the parallel broadcasting on
the air of “Shirak” public TV and radio company. The broadcasting of pre-election
promotion of public television starts at 17.15, on public radio – at 13.30.
In case of technical necessity the public broadcasters may shift the timeframes
specified, but not more than 30 minutes.
On the public television each presidential candidate is entitled to 60 minutes
of free and 120 minutes of paid airtime. The duration of daily air for each
of the candidates is defined as follows: a) during the period of January 23
– February 10 – 2 minutes of free and up to 4 minutes of paid airtime; b) February
11-16 – 3 minutes of free and up to 6 minutes of paid airtime; c) February 17,
the last day of pre-election promotion – 4 minutes of free and up to 8 minutes
of paid airtime.
On public radio each presidential candidate is allocated 120 minutes of free
and 180 minutes of paid airtime. The duration of daily air for each of the candidates
is defined as follows: a) during the period of January 23 – February 10 – 4
minutes of free and up to 6 minutes of paid airtime; b) February 11-16 – 6 minutes
of free and up to 9 minutes of paid airtime; c) February 17 – 8 minutes of free
and up to 12 minutes of paid airtime.
If any of the candidates fails to use the time, allocated to him by the schedules,
no make-up time is given. The airtime, allocated to one candidate, cannot be
used by another candidate.
Public broadcasters give live air to the candidates, also with a host should
they wish so, or broadcast video, audio clips, provided by presidency candidates.
