The Television and Radio Commission (TRC) has decided to suspend the broadcast of the program “Hayelu araj” (In front of the Mirror) for 30 days. In particular, the commission stated that the reason for initiating administrative proceedings against “RADIO 107 FM” LLC and “ARMNEWS” CJSC companies was the targeted expressions made by the companies during the “In front of the Mirror” program aired by the above-mentioned companies. “The broadcast of the mentioned program proves that the editorial policy of the two broadcasters is to intentionally sow the seeds of enmity, falsification and hatred.” The commission is an administrative penalty, it issued a written warning to “DAR-21” TV company․ “A number of films were shown without the prior permission of the broadcaster for copyright infringement by the broadcaster.”
In a conversation with “Media Advocate” initiative, Angela Tovmasyan defined the decision as nonsense. “Taking advantage of the situation, they targeted us in these turbulent times. The program was aired about ten days before the martial law, and was rebroadcast on ArmNews radio FM. The requirements of martial law have not been violated, the strange thing is that the topic of the program was the coronavirus. The specialists presented the main problems, criticized the government’s policy. The TRC could apply to the relevant bodies to check whether the information corresponds to the reality. In the end, competent people commented on the topic․ Օn the other hand, what is the role of the media, to raise this or that issue, right? It becomes clear that there is an obvious tendency directed against me and the program. The government stands behind this, Tigran Hakobyan is an executor. This is not the first case, several months ago they addressed this or that word voiced during the program, we received warnings and fines, and the reason was the critical speech of various politicians addressed to the government.”
“Media Advocate” initiative considers inadmissible any attempt to create internal tension in these days of war. Such decisions by the TRC must be very well-founded. Steps intended to take advantage of the state of war and solve issues of personal character are unacceptable and condemnable. Even if the reasons are justified, this should be postponed until the situation stabilizes.
