“Armenian Civil Society” slams NCTR decision
Los Angeles-based "Armenian Civil Society" has issued a statement slamming the decision of the government-influenced regulatory body to deny A1+ TV Company a broadcast license.
"On December 16, 2010, Armenia's embattled A1+ TV Company, which has been off the air since 2002, was denied a digital broadcast license in a controversial competition administered by the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR). The broadcast regulator executed another order by the authorities and rejected the independent media outlet with apparent law violations.
The NCTR decision testifies once again that Armenia is not going to fulfill its international commitments. Moreover, the country proved that its membership to the OSCE is formal. The country's authorities left the ruling of the European Court delivered in favor of the TV Company "unfulfilled".
The decision shows that the authorities restrict the right of Armenian citizens to receive and disseminate information inside the country and outside its boundaries.
The cynical attitude of the country's authorities shows that they do not enjoy public confidence and are plotting a state coup.
Armenian leadership should implement public demand granting A1+ a broadcast license and bringing the independent TV channel back to the air. This is an imperative demand of the Armenian people.
"Armenian Civil Society" calls on the Armenian authorities to comply with the demands of the RA Constitution, the European Court of Human Rights and Armenian citizens and reopen A1+ TV Company," reads the statement.
