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The Commission records that the media operating under its control operated freely last year without interference from the authorities: the Chairman of the Commission on Television and Radio Tigran Hakobyan said at the NA regular sitting presenting the annual report on the activities of the Commission on Television and Radio in 2022 and the state of freedom of information in the sphere of audiovisual media on April 13.

He informed that no significant complaints were received in response to the Commission’s written questioning regarding interfering with the editorial and personnel policy of broadcasters, limiting the right to express opinions, and obstructing their normal working process.

According to Tigran Hakobyan, the Commission has assumed the role of a mediator between some branches of the authorities and broadcasters in conflicts that sometimes break out.

“The results of monitoring show that since 2021, hate speech, insults and threats have significantly decreased in the programmes of broadcasters operating in public multiplexes,” the Chairman of the Commission on Television and Radio stated.

According to him, this year the structure operated independently without the guidance and intervention of state bodies.

He also spoke about the legislative gaps that create obstacles for the development of the media sphere, in particular, noting that part of the necessary legislative regulations refers to the functions assigned to the Commission, and the other part to the media sphere.

Tigran Hakobyan underlined that by December 2022, 115 licensed companies have operated in Armenia, out of which 22 are audiovisual media service companies, 28 are audio, and 65 are network operators. 2 audio-visual and 4 audio programs of public broadcasters operated without a license.

The key rapporteur informed that during 2022, the Commission initiated 44 administrative proceedings, 29 out of which were on its own initiative, 15 - were based on complaints.

The Chairman of the Commission on Television and Radio also referred to the unprecedented increase in appeals in court.

At the end of his speech, the rapporteur also referred to the technical re-equipment works completed in 2022.

The deputies inquired about issues regarding media literacy, the content of the Code of Ethics, the steps taken to increase radio channels in Armenia, the reasons for the need for legislative regulations, the fight against the uncontrollable flow of information, the licensing of shadow TV companies.

“We register all questions and will try to take them into consideration during our activity. We will try to work together to solve the problems”, Tigran Hakobyan said in his final speech.