Armenia to create fund supporting public interest media content

A draft resolution on establishing a fund for supporting broadcasters to provide public interest content was approved at the Cabinet meeting held on April 17.

Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan said that they were proposing to establish a new fund aimed at boosting public benefit broadcasting and approve its charter. 

"Back in 2020, a new Law on Audiovisual Media was adopted, which obliged the TV channels broadcasting on public multiplexes allocate at least 20 percent of their airtime to public benefit content. Based on international experience, this refers primarily to educational, scientific, cultural, sports, and social content that is either not commercially viable or is difficult to monetize,” said Hayrapetyan.

The Minister noted that these new regulations, along with certain restrictions in the advertising market, have created specific challenges. Therefore, the state has decided to propose solutions and support broadcasters in ensuring the required 20 percent of public interest content.

“As a result, it was decided to propose to the government the creation of a fund that, in close cooperation with the industry, will encourage the broadcasting of public interest content in the public multiplex space through grants,” Hayrapetyan added.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan asked whether it would matter to the foundation whether the content is actually  watched or not. The Minister responded affirmatively, noting that such procedural matters should be defined by the foundation’s board. Pashinyan emphasized that this requirement must be clearly outlined in the regulations.

Pashinyan further stressed that the result should  justify the expenditures, and the public should feel the impact.