"Everything started from A1+"
The National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) will be able to restore its image provided that it returns A1+ to the air. The opinion was voiced during the two-day forum organized by the Ombudsman's Office. The formation of the Public Council on Television and Radio was in the focus of the meeting.
The event brought together 120 media representatives and experts from international organizations.
NCTR representatives dismissed the accusations which libeled the NCTR as a dependent and biased structure. They say it is difficult to find people who enjoy esteem and authority in different spheres.
"In most cases they elect people who are easily controlled and make decisions favorable to the authorities. If they want, they can find free and independent people," President of Yerevan Press Club Boris Navasardyan told A1+.
"It is becoming more and more difficult to find an independent and intellectual person in Armenia while 10-12 years ago there was not such a problem," he added.
Boris Navasardyan says the NCTR was discredited after holding the first broadcasting completion in 2002 as "the state regulatory made political decisions."
Lawyer Ara Ghazaryan says the licensing regulatory body was defamed as there was incompliance between its words and actions.
"Everything started from A1+ which controversially lost its broadcasting right in 2002 in a tender announced by the NCTR. The relationship between the public and the regulatory body is disconnected. Today many people prefer the Internet to television as the main source of information. Television is largely perceived as a major source of entertainment. Our TV companies should review their policy," said Ghazaryan
The forum participants are to present their proposals and observations to the Ombudsman's working group.
