OSCE Chairmanship concerned about media situation in Armenia

THE HAGUE, 25 July 2003 - The Netherlands Chairmanship of the OSCE is concerned about the recent decision of the National Commission on Television and Radio in Armenia not to award broadcasting licences to two independent television stations, "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan".

"The fact that both companies have been unable to broadcast for well over a year raises concern about the pluralistic nature of the broadcast media in Armenia," Ambassador Daan Everts, Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said in a letter to Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

In its letter, the Netherlands Chairmanship notes that the recent decision of the National Commission on Television and Radio has also triggered indignation among the media community within and outside Armenia.

The Netherlands Chairmanship also draws attention to the fact that developments in Armenia in the area of freedom of expression have raised concern in a number of other international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the EU.

The Chairmanship hopes that Armenia will move in the direction of a more liberal attitude towards freedom of expression and pluralism in the media landscape, Ambassador Everts concluded, indicating the readiness of the OSCE to assist Armenia in this through its presence on the ground and the Representative on Freedom of the Media.