Armenia`s public multiplex  should not be used to serve foreign  policy agendas - Statement

ArmInfo. The public multiplex should not be used to serve foreign policy agendas, and Armenia's information space of Armenia should be free from the manipulative, propagandistic and provocative influence of any foreign force, attempting to interfere in the domestic political situation, as noted  in the statement by the Commission on Television and Radio of the Republic of Armenia regarding the ongoing attacks on the country's authorities in the Russian segment of Armenia's public multiplex. 

As noted in the statement, in December 2020, the Agreement "On  Cooperation in  Mass Telecommunications between the Government of the  Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Russian Federation" was  signed. One of the goals of this agreement  was "further development  of friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Armenia  and the Russian Federation in the field of telecommunications."  According to the agreement, the public digital multiplex of Armenia  broadcasts the TV programs "RTR-Planet", "First Channel. World Wide  Web" and "RTR-Culture". The Commission has consistently recorded that  RTR-Planeta and Channel One. World Wide Web have regularly violated  and continue to violate the provisions of the Agreement and the  legislation of the Republic of Armenia. They are in clear  contradiction with the traditional, mutually respectful allied  relations between Russia and Armenia. 

Thus, Article 4 of the Agreement states that the Russian side  undertakes to provide the Armenian public broadcaster with a  universal broadcasting license, granting them the right to broadcast  throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. Despite 4.5 years   passing since the Agreement was signed,  the Public TV Channel of the  Republic of Armenia is still not broadcast in Russia. Moreover,  during further bilateral discussions, the Armenian side learned that  the concept of "universal broadcasting license" does not exist in the  legislation of the Russian Federation. According to Article 5 of the  Agreement, Russian TV channels must adhere to the legislation of the  Republic of Armenia, refrain from airing programs with offensive  content towards the Armenian people and national values, and avoid  interfering in Armenia's internal political life. 

"However, we regret to note that the above-mentioned TV channels have  repeatedly aired programs containing offensive expressions and  distorted assessments of state institutions and citizens of the  Republic of Armenia. They have replaced facts with emotional and  aggressive descriptions. Article 6 of the Agreement requires  compliance with the rules of national holidays and days of  remembrance in the broadcasting state. According to the legislation  of the Republic of Armenia, broadcasting of advertising and  entertainment programs on days of mourning and remembrance is  prohibited. This provision has also been violated since the agreement  was signed. For these and many other reasons, the decision to  rebroadcast the TV programs "RTR-Planeta" and "First Channel" is  justified. The World Wide Web has long been a matter of public debate  in Armenia. The Broadcasting Commission continues to receive numerous  complaints and proposals urging the regulatory body to prevent the  public media space of the Republic of Armenia from becoming a  permissive environment, where insults, disinformation, obscene  language, justification of violence and violation of fundamental  human rights become the norm and negatively affect public  consciousness and behavior. 

The background of hostility and permissiveness created by the  messages of these TV companies  doesn't contribute to fostering  recognition, respect and appreciation between the societies of our  two states. In this regard, we find it necessary to inform that the  Broadcasting Commission has regularly and consistently reached out to  the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of  High-Tech Industry outlining the violations recorded. We have   proposed taking appropriate steps to fully implement the regulatory  body's supervisory powers over  foreign broadcasters and to make  necessary legislative changes.  We have highlighted this issue in our  annual reports submitted to the National Assembly. We have attempted  to resolve these contradictions through constructive dialogue during   meetings with our Russian colleagues. 

However, we must acknowledge that these two Russian TV channels  continue to include disinformation and content that inflames social  tensions in their programming, creating fertile ground for physical  violence, blasphemous insults and hatred. The Commission reaffirms  its stance: the public multiplex should not be used to serve foreign  policy agendas, Armenia's information space  should be free from the  manipulative, propagandistic and provocative influence of any foreign  force, attempts to interfere in the internal political situation. Our  primary task is to protect public interests, national dignity and the  right of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia to receive  information from balanced and reliable sources," the statement reads.