Will A1+ receive broadcasting license?
Ashot Melikian, Chairman of the Committee for the Protection of Freedom of Speech, cannot foresee whether the Armenian government will implement the recommendation of Freedom House international organization and to grant a broadcasting license to A1+ television company.
Anyway, Mr. Melikian believes that the appeal will influence on the decision of the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR).
Melikian says that international organizations have presented serious documents over the past eight years.
"Unfortunately, the documents did not influence on the decisions of the Commission or authorities. We think that the NCTR has become a tool in the hands of the regime," said Ashot Melikian.
Levon Barseghian, Chairman of "Asparez" Journalists' Club of Gyumri, agreed with Melikian saying the appeal of Freedom House will hardly change the situation in Armenia. On the other hand, he thinks that the authorities got tired of the issue and will have to return A1+ to the air to get rid of the "burden."
Unlike Ashot Melikian, Levon Barseghian believes that the NCTR decision will be advantageous to A1+.
"I believe that NCTR Chairman Grigor Amalyan will be instructed from Baghramyan 26 to grant a broadcasting license to A1+"
According to Melikian, a thirteenth denial of A1+'s lawful request for a license would mean that the authorities do not want to see new actors in the sphere and activate competition between them.
