Armenia's NCTR imposed 6.2 million drams worth fines on 12 television and radio companies in 2019
29.01.2020,
15:49
Armenia's National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) imposed a total of 6.2 million drams worth fines on 12 television and radio companies in 2019, the head of the Commission Tigran Hakobyan stated at a press conference.
YEREVAN, January 29. /ARKA/. Armenia's National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) imposed a total of 6.2 million drams worth fines on 12 television and radio companies in 2019, the head of the Commission Tigran Hakobyan stated at a press conference.
According to him, the number of fines imposed in 2019 was very high. For comparison, he said between 2011 and 2018, 10 television companies were fined only for a total of 5.8 million drams.
Hakobyan explained the rise in the number of fines by the fact that the Commission began to fully exercise its powers. He said some of the fines were imposed for broadcasting shocking images (for which no fines had been imposed in the past), for religious discrimination (incorrect and rude coverage of Islam), as well as for copyright infringement.
He also said that two television companies and one radio company filed lawsuits against the Commission appealing the imposed fines, which is “immensely pleasing,” because “all disputes should be settled by court in the framework of legal norms.” According to Hakobyan, this means that the country is moving in the right direction.
“And even if we lose the lawsuits, we will not make a tragedy out of it. This means that our decision, for example, is incorrect. And this will become a precedent so that we no longer impose fines for that type of breaches,” he said.
Hakobyan said the number of scenes showing violence, copyright infringements, prohibited advertising has substantially dropped. 'This way we are creating an equal playing field for all television and radio companies,” he said.
According to Hakobyan, as of December 31, 2019, there were 126 operating television and radio companies in Armenia, including 100 licensed television companies, 18 licensed radio companies, five public channels and three television and radio companies operating under an interstate agreement.
Also, in 2019, the Commission granted licenses to 12 cable broadcasting companies. ($1 - 478.87 drams). --0--
According to him, the number of fines imposed in 2019 was very high. For comparison, he said between 2011 and 2018, 10 television companies were fined only for a total of 5.8 million drams.
Hakobyan explained the rise in the number of fines by the fact that the Commission began to fully exercise its powers. He said some of the fines were imposed for broadcasting shocking images (for which no fines had been imposed in the past), for religious discrimination (incorrect and rude coverage of Islam), as well as for copyright infringement.
He also said that two television companies and one radio company filed lawsuits against the Commission appealing the imposed fines, which is “immensely pleasing,” because “all disputes should be settled by court in the framework of legal norms.” According to Hakobyan, this means that the country is moving in the right direction.
“And even if we lose the lawsuits, we will not make a tragedy out of it. This means that our decision, for example, is incorrect. And this will become a precedent so that we no longer impose fines for that type of breaches,” he said.
Hakobyan said the number of scenes showing violence, copyright infringements, prohibited advertising has substantially dropped. 'This way we are creating an equal playing field for all television and radio companies,” he said.
According to Hakobyan, as of December 31, 2019, there were 126 operating television and radio companies in Armenia, including 100 licensed television companies, 18 licensed radio companies, five public channels and three television and radio companies operating under an interstate agreement.
Also, in 2019, the Commission granted licenses to 12 cable broadcasting companies. ($1 - 478.87 drams). --0--
