DISINFO: Armenia has blocked broadcasting from Russia
SUMMARY
Armenia blocked broadcasting from Russia. Armenian parliament nevertheless adopted a scandalous law on broadcasting in a foreign language. Parliament voted to ban the free broadcasting of Russian TV channels in Armenia. The rationale for the adoption of such a law is almost classical for post-Soviet limitrophes – the National Commission on Television and Radio Broadcasting believes that these channels are no less a threat to Armenia’s national security. Of course, this is an act of cleansing the country’s information space from Russian influence. Or even the act of clearing out for something new? This we will see in the nearest future.
RESPONSE
A manipulative statement, accusing Armenian authorities of being Russophobic and Anti-Russian. Misinterpretation of the "Audiovisual Media Law" of the Republic of Armenia. Armenia did not block Russian channels, the Law is regulating the broadcasting in foreign languages, including Russian in public multiplex only. It does not mean a ban on the broadcasting of Russian TV companies in Armenia and leaves both states the opportunity to conclude intergovernmental agreements to ensure broadcasting of Russian channels through the public multiplex of Armenia. The new law regulates the public multiplex, where foreign broadcasters can broadcast only under the interstate or intergovernmental or international agreements. For example, Russian MIR TV is broadcasting under the intergovernmental agreement. There is no talk about shutting down hundreds of foreign broadcasters that are available on cable networks, satellites, it is only about a public multiplex. The purpose of the law is to broadcast programmes in the state language, to promote a state agenda, preserve the national identity, language and culture in the free public multiplex.
There is no country in the world, including Russia itself, where there are foreign channels in the public multiplex.