On the agenda of the National Assembly session that began on October 21 is a draft law proposing amendments to the RA Law “On Audiovisual Media.” The proposed change aims to reduce the number of public broadcasters currently defined by law to just two, while simultaneously removing the requirement for these broadcasters to include educational and cultural programming. It is apparent that the real reason behind this amendment is the government’s decision to exclude Shoghakat TV Company from the list of public broadcasters and the bill submitted to Parliament, with superficial justifications, is clearly designed to serve this purpose.
This change in the composition of public broadcasters is a logical continuation of the current government’s campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church and the foundations for this were laid long ago, when propaganda campaigns against national values and Armenian identity began to receive high-level endorsement. This move targeting Shoghakat TV, driven by the dirtiest of political motives, is all the more condemnable given that the television company—closely affiliated with the Armenian Apostolic Church—has maintained political neutrality and focused exclusively on spiritual, cultural, and educational content, even amidst the most brazen attacks on the Church.
By removing Shoghakat TV from the list of public broadcasters, the government is not only delivering yet another blow to the Church, but is also attempting to limit the reach of a unique TV station dedicated to the preservation and professional presentation of spiritual and national values. This stands in stark contrast to the current government’s adopted anti-national and value-less policies.
The Union of Journalists of Armenia strongly condemns this clearly politically motivated move against Shoghakat TV and demands the immediate withdrawal of the bill from the National Assembly. At the same time, we urge the journalistic community and organizations advocating for press freedom to take active measures to defend the rights of Shoghakat TV to remain among the public broadcasters.
UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF ARMENIA
