Opposition MPs view the bill as another mine
The bill on making amendments to the RA Law on Television and Radio has been included in the National Assembly's four-day sitting without a thorough discussion in a relevant committee.
Armenian opposition parliamentarians are displeased with the government's handling of the issue.
"The executive body has again neglected opposition MPs pushing the bill for the vote. With its inadmissible behaviour, the government has hurt our dignity," ARF-Dashnaktsutyun MP Lilit Galstyan told А1+. "The bill was an urgent one, and they shouldn't have bound it to the public and political forces in haste."
She views the bill as another "mine" threatening the country. "Freedom of expression and diversity are the spine of democracy and if a country lacks these important values it is needless to speak of others," she added.
The government also rejected the 31 proposals submitted by the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun.
"The government seems to be guided by a policy of negligence. Tenders for frequencies have turned into beauty contests where the choice is made between the contestants spontaneously without further explanation. The ARF is going to vote down the bill," said Lilit Galstyan.
Heritage MP Armen Martirosyan says the public reaction to the bill was natural and expected. "If the government had taken notice of public opinion, they would have returned A1+ and Noyan Tapan to the air."
"In 2012-13, the authorities will continue tackling their problems trying to hide opposition's opinions from the public. The government's actions speak of their hidden desire not to reopen A1+. Heritage is against the amendments, which largely conflict with public demands," said Mr. Martirosyan.
