NO MARCH 1 WITH “A1+” ON TV

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6 years ago TV channel “A1+” was closed according to April 2 decision of Robert Kocharian and Grigor Amalian, Director of TV and Radio National Commission. Following is our interview with Mesrop Movsessian, Director of “A1+”, on what has changed in those 6 years and why “A1+” was closed.

- “A1+” has been closed for 6 years. What losses has the informational sphere suffered?

“It is difficult to assess the loss since our people are brought up with the idea that society doesn’t make decisions and there was a time when the general public had put up with the idea that struggle was useless. As a result we have stagnation and no progress to expect.”

-Television is said to have greatly developed and still progressing.

“It depends on what we mean by “progress”. The television is said to be developing. But it’s the technical base that is improving and still it’s not Armenia’s privilege. And what do we have inside? Nought. Provincial level, provincial humor and provincial frame of mind. So, what are we expected to have in future? Provincial generation with poor knowledge.”

-Can we state that television has diverged from its main function?

“It sure has. If you are not informed about the progress in a particular sphere you can’t have the slightest idea about its growth. In everyday life if you don’t know how your neighbours live you can’t compare your lifestyles and, accordingly, you can’t develop.”

-Can you say closing “A1+” had political motives?

“There would be no March 1 with “A1+” on TV. Still then the informational sphere was predefined to be “cleared” so that they would be free and they succeeded. “A1+” was powerful enough to lead the other channels and make them work. Now there is no one to make and they do not work – they only struggle for money. One should know what is going on in his country. Still no one knows what is going on in Armenia. People are not aware of the authorities’ moves.”

-Can we say the Public Television doesn’t perform its function of providing information?

“It performs no function at all. And this is considered a normal country and normal television.”

-You never participated in the rallies people organized in defense of “A1+”. You didn’t want to politicize it. Do you regret?

“No, I don’t. That’s my business and it is out of politics. Politics is for political figures and they should have accurately explained why “A1+” was closed. It’s their business and not journalist’s. A journalist can’t foresee the results.”

-But closing “A1+” the authorities politicized the problem.

“They did. But realizing it was politicized, they retreated. I have always declared “A1+” to be my business and I have turned to the European Court with a claim to reopen it. Besides it is a violation of our freedom of speech.”

-Many people insist that freedom of speech is not violated in Armenia since there are lots of opposition papers that are free. Do you think there is no freedom of speech or press in our country?

“Nowadays the most-spread source of information is television because it is available everywhere, while circulation of newspapers is limited. The idea of freedom of speech is distorted today. Insulting one another is not freedom of speech. We could declare to have freedom of speech if we informed people about the murder on Grigor Lousavorich Street, analyzed the circumstances, and punished the guilty ones. Only in this case such crimes won’t be committed a second time. This is the value of freedom of speech. Without that it is useless to speak on freedom of speech.

-Can we hope to have “A1+” back with a new government?

“Who is in our government? Do we have any changes? Those who are with Serzh Sargssian today, used to be with Robert Kocharian. Nothing has changed and nothing will. A leopard cannot change his spots.”

-Is “A1+” going to take part in the tenders for a license of communication means due in spring?

“I am not sure tenders will be held. Judging by the policy of present authorities nothing is expected to change and they’ll make sure no tender is held. They have an excuse for it – digitization.”

-The problem of holding open contests and reopening “A1+” has been raised in PACE resolutions. There have even been demands to make changes in TV and Radio National Commission staff but nothing seems to be done. Do you think the authorities ignore European institutions or the latter are not consistent enough?

“Both. The authorities ignore European institutes because they know the latter are not consistent enough. Besides, they are concerned with other Armenian issues, especially the Karabakh issue which they are not able to solve yet. And they can’t since they do not realize it is connected with freedom of speech. No discussions, no dialogues – no solution.”

- “A1+” is closed but the site functions rather actively. Do you think it can utterly substitute the TV channel and is our right to have information protected?

“I can’t say it substitutes. In advanced countries they usually supplement each other. But in our case it substitutes. They have closed one source and opened another one but the sources are different. “A1+” was able to prove that professionals are never lost. And it depends on the government how practically it can use their potential. The government shouldn’t be tough on them – it shouldn’t open, close or seize them”

-Should people expect “A1+” back on TV?

Sure.

-When?

It will live even when I don’t.

Interview by Diana Markossian