Writing ahead of Tuesday’s parliament vote, “Haykakan Zhamanak” asserts that the Armenian authorities will “definitely” halt RFE/RL broadcasts. “The parliament majority claims that after losing the public [radio] air, Radio Liberty will be able to buy airtime from private companies and pay a state duty of 60,000 drams per program,” says the paper. “But to put it mildly, this too is a playacting.”
According to “Aravot,” officials from President Robert Kocharian’s administration already warned several private stations last week against preparing for what would be a lucrative retransmission of RFE/RL programs in Armenia. The paper claims they were told that “none of them will be allowed to sign an agreement with Radio Liberty.”
“It is evident that the adoption of the bill would primarily damage Serzh Sarkisian’s presidential plans,” writes “Zhamanak Yerevan.” “Why did Kocharian decide to close down a media outlet by means of the National Assembly majority, the [Sarkisian-led] HHK?” the paper asks, arguing that Kocharian could have done this through his National Commission on Television and Radio. It says some HHK circles believe that the purpose of the media bill is to discredit Sarkisian and his party. “For somebody preparing for presidential elections, that is certainly the straightest path to earning the antipathy of both the people and the international community.”
“Why is it that [Radio] Liberty became the sole alternative in our TV and radio field, the only hope for receiving comprehensive information?” writes “Azg.” “Why is it that there are no two or three TV or radio companies that disseminate not only views suitable to the state but also those of the country’s opposition segment?” The paper says independent broadcasters like A1+ would have “let off steam” and thereby contributed to political stability in Armenia. It says they would also have given the government an opportunity to prove its superiority over the opposition in televised debates. “And democracy would have existed not on paper, but de facto,” argues “Azg.”
(Atom Markarian)
According to “Aravot,” officials from President Robert Kocharian’s administration already warned several private stations last week against preparing for what would be a lucrative retransmission of RFE/RL programs in Armenia. The paper claims they were told that “none of them will be allowed to sign an agreement with Radio Liberty.”
“It is evident that the adoption of the bill would primarily damage Serzh Sarkisian’s presidential plans,” writes “Zhamanak Yerevan.” “Why did Kocharian decide to close down a media outlet by means of the National Assembly majority, the [Sarkisian-led] HHK?” the paper asks, arguing that Kocharian could have done this through his National Commission on Television and Radio. It says some HHK circles believe that the purpose of the media bill is to discredit Sarkisian and his party. “For somebody preparing for presidential elections, that is certainly the straightest path to earning the antipathy of both the people and the international community.”
“Why is it that [Radio] Liberty became the sole alternative in our TV and radio field, the only hope for receiving comprehensive information?” writes “Azg.” “Why is it that there are no two or three TV or radio companies that disseminate not only views suitable to the state but also those of the country’s opposition segment?” The paper says independent broadcasters like A1+ would have “let off steam” and thereby contributed to political stability in Armenia. It says they would also have given the government an opportunity to prove its superiority over the opposition in televised debates. “And democracy would have existed not on paper, but de facto,” argues “Azg.”
(Atom Markarian)