On December 17, at the extraordinary session the National Assembly of Armenia adopted in the second reading and finally the amendments to the RA Laws “On Television and Radio” and “On Advertising”. The amendments introduce a ban on commercial advertising on the Public Television of Armenia (PTA).
As we have reported, this legislative initiative was put forth and approved by the Government of Armenia in the end of December 2013. The Government substantiated its initiative by the fact that the cancellation of commercials in public broadcasting will free time for higher value programs. The draft laws passed the first reading on March 12 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 11-17, 2014).
The adopted amendments to broadcasting and advertising legislation introduce a ban on commercial advertising on the PTA.
The new restriction however allows for retaining social ads, as well as acknowledgements of the sponsors in cultural, educational, scientific, and sports programs only once throughout the program. At that, the total duration of the above-mentioned advertising should not exceed 90 seconds within an air hour.
