On February 14 the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Issues of RA National Assembly held hearings to discuss the suggestions on amendments to the RA Law “On Television and Radio”, developed by independent TV and radio companies and the journalistic organizations of Armenia – Yerevan Press Club, Journalists Union of Armenia and Internews Armenia (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, January 27 – February 2, 2001).
The leaders of the TV and radio companies, the representatives of the journalistic organizations, as well as members of the standing committees of the Parliament took part in the discussion.
The Draft Law “On Amendments and Additions to RA Law ‘On Television and Radio’”, developed by the independent TV and radio companies was presented and commented on by Samvel Mairapetian, the Director of “Prometheus” TV company.
The Committee and the deputies in general approved of the principles underlying the Draft Law, charging the Committee with the development of details.
The discussion of the other Draft Law “On Amendments and Additions to RA Law ‘On Television and Radio’”, developed by YPC, JUA and Internews Armenia, was postponed at the request of Ashot Manukian, the Vice-Chairman of the Council of the Public Television and Radio. In his opinion, since the journalistic organizations mainly suggest to introduce amendments to the chapter that regulates the activities of the Public Television and Public Radio, an opportunity should be given to the Council to study these suggestions. This is especially important considering the fact that, within the first month of its existence, the Council has already encountered numerous problems to be solved through introducing amendments to the Law.
As a result, the participants of the hearings decided to postpone the discussion of this issue till later, when the Parliament Committee, the above mentioned journalistic organizations and the Council of the Public Television and Radio will develop and introduce a joint variant of the Draft Law, regulating the public broadcasting.
