On July 16, the National Assembly adopted in the second reading the package of draft laws on changes in the Law on Audiovisual Media and the Law on Licensing. PAP (Prosperous Armenia Party) Speaker, MP Iveta Tonoyan, who is a journalist by profession and has managed the news service of Kentron TV for many years, considers some points of the law problematic in regards of restricting freedom of speech, as well as direct or indirect interference in the editorial policy of broadcasters.
“Media Advocate” initiative interviewed Iveta Tonoyan and asked to present the points she considers problematic: “One topic will be covered by only 25% within the framework of news programs. If there are issues that concern the public, in particular, even the topic of border tensions happening these days, the law states that this restriction does not apply during a state of emergency or martial law. But we all know that martial law has not been declared these days, but the media devotes most of their programs to this very topic. That is, under the law and the 25% limit, if the news program lasts for 30 minutes, it turns out that it will devote approximately 7-7:30 minutes to the reference of that topic. I do not think that it is possible to provide comprehensive information on the same border situation within this duration. This was one of the problematic points. In addition, the state authorized body is empowered to establish a list of important topics that broadcasters must provide airtime during their news issues. I have had the opportunity to mention that for me the most professional, most competent authorized body in the world cannot decide which topic is considered important instead of the broadcaster, the implementer of a specific news policy, because individual editorial boards decide their own news policy. Dozens of journalists and organizations dealing with issues of freedom of speech have pointed out that there is a need to send the project for international expertise. I do not deny that there is a need for legislative regulation in the field, that quite a lot of work has been implemented, but this hurried regime, that is passing the law in the second reading within the framework of the extraordinary reading without a broad public feedback, without the media, without international expertise is fraught with many dangerous consequences. The authors of the same project do not exclude in their private conversations, interviews that changes will be made in the law in the future. In that case, instead of conducting the project in such a hurried and incomplete way, it was possible to spend time conducting international expertise, considering the observations of specialists in the field, and only then present a complete and comprehensive law, which would not have various consequences, which will surely happen now.”
To the question what was the purpose of such haste, Iveta Tonoyan answered: “The terms of airtime licenses of a number of TV companies are ending this year and new licensing competitions will be held. I think that this process is somehow related with these above-mentioned processes.”
To the question whether there is a danger of suspending the operation of TV companies, Tonoyan answered: “I would not like to believe that it is possible to have such worries and concerns in the new Armenian reality. I think that in any case, the activities of the media, the freedom of speech should not be endangered, I am hopeful that all the processes will take place exclusively within the framework of legality and professional ethics. If there is ever a process related to a TV station where I see a circumvention of the legitimacy or an interest in achieving personal goals, no matter which body or political force will implement it, I will not be restricted to voice it, as either as a legislator or as a journalist, I have said on various occasions that to me, freedom of speech and independence of the media should never be an alternative.”
