Armenia should lift moratorium on licensing broadcasters to ensure media pluralism, says OSCE media freedom representative
VIENNA, 26 September 2008 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, today asked the Government of Armenia to review the recently adopted amendments to the TV and radio law that introduce a moratorium on issuing new broadcasting licenses until the planned digital switchover, scheduled to start in 2010.
In a letter to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Haraszti wrote: "By cutting off any potential applicant broadcasters from entering the market until 2010, the limited pluralism in Armenia's broadcasting sector will be further diminished."
"A moratorium on new licences for analogue transmission should not be the first step in the transition to digital broadcasting. Digitalization should not be allowed to reduce diversity and plurality or preserve a lack thereof. If the broadcasting landscape in a country is not sufficiently pluralistic and diverse, it would be appropriate to delay digitalization and undertake other reforms first," added Haraszti.
He said that the moratorium meant that Armenia will not be able to comply with the June 2008 decision of the European Court of Human Rights that upheld the case of television station A1+. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also urged Armenia to "ensure an open, fair and transparent licensing procedure" and allow A1+ to apply for a new licence.
Since the broadcasting licence of A1+ was revoked in March 2002, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has repeatedly intervened with the Government of Armenia in support of the television station.
Haraszti offered his Office's legal analysis of the amendments and recommendations, adding: "I hope that, for the sake of pluralism, the Government of Armenia will review the amendments with the active participation of all relevant civil society and media stakeholders."
The "Law on Making a Supplement to the Republic of Armenia Law on Television and Radio" will enter into force on 27 September.