Draft will be discussed in the Parliament which is against the freedom of the speech.
The journalists were waiting all day long yesterday when the issues on the amendments and restatements of the law “About Television and Radio” and “About State Tax» would be discussed. But the parliament didn\’t discuss these issues till 7 pm as it was obvious that the issue would be postponed, besides, «Heritage» Party was very active yesterday and didn\’t give any time to discuss. The journalists were even joking as if Raffi Hovanisyan has replaced Arshak Sadoyan.
The lawmakers were also anxious and were asking the journalists: «Is it right that «Azatutiun» would be closed? ». And when we were trying to explain that it depends on their voting, and if they vote for the RA President\’s represented issues, the broadcasting station will be closed, they were surprising: «I don\’t want for «Azatutiun» to be closed», – a lot of RPA members were answering in this way: the representatives of the majority who will press buttons during the command, irrespective of their will.
We were interested from the NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan whether the freedom of the speech would be limited: «First of all the draft should be discussed, we may give different interpretations and explanations about the adopted laws, but it isn\’t right to guess how the draft will be adopted». Tigran Torosyan also added that he would express his opinion after listening to the main reporter, lawmakers\’ speeches. We should inform our readers that acoording to the draft the broadcasting of «Azatutiun» station isn\’t allowed by Public Radio.The name of this station isn\’t mentioned in the draft but only «Azatutiun» is broadcasted by the frequency of the Public Radio. It is mentioned in the draft «On State Tax»: «Taking into consideration that the broadcasting of TV programs is in the competition sphere, we think that a state tax should be determined for each foreign media broadcast». This legislative solution will allow to provide equal competitive conditions, especially when the frequency allocation is a separate sphere of activities». We also informed Tigran Torosyan that the majority of parliamentarians haven\’t even noticed that «Azatutiun» will be closed by the adoption of this draft. Tigran Torosian\’s anwer was the following: «It is very important what the parliamentarians think about that issue. They will exlain their opinion about it». How does Tigran Torosyan remarks «Azaturiun»\’s activities in the NA. T. Torosyan tol that he had never been agaist that broadcasting station: «It is very important what the parliamentarians will say, besides, I can\’t give a complete remark abot «Azatutiun». The work with the NA journalists and «Azatutiun» b/s has always been normal and within the frameworks of adopted rules, so I have no complaint against «Azatutiun» b/s.