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Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, presented to Parliament a bill proposing new regulations to the law on Audiovisual Media, including the possibility of sanctioning foreign broadcasts that interfere in the domestic political life of the Republic of Armenia.
Speaking at the plenary session, the Minister stated that the initiative aims to ensure Armenia’s information security, reduce the impact of negative information directed at citizens, address legal gaps in the sector, and create a level playing field.
Hayrapetyan noted that the current law, adopted in July 2020, mainly regulates the public multiplex—the 26 television channels that are broadcast free of charge across the country. Meanwhile, cable channels and online platforms are largely outside this regulatory framework.
“The proposed amendments foresee extending the same regulations that apply to the public multiplex to network operators, including cable television companies. In addition, special regulations will apply to channels operating in foreign jurisdictions but broadcast in Armenia via network operators. If such channels contain content interfering in Armenia’s domestic political life, the regulatory body—the Television and Radio Commission—will be able to impose sanctions on the network operator,” Hayrapetyan said.
According to the Minister, in cases where proceedings are initiated, the network operator will be required to suspend the broadcast of the relevant program until a final decision is made. Failure to comply will make the network operator itself liable.
The draft law also revises the amounts of fines and establishes grounds and mechanisms for license suspension or termination.
Hayrapetyan emphasized that the proposed regulations are based on the European Union’s audiovisual media directives, in effect since 2010, and are presented in the mildest possible form to avoid interpretations as limiting freedom of speech or censorship.