Names of Replacements for Petros Ghazaryan and Margarita Grigoryan

The newspaper "Hraparak" reports: Following the sensational resignation of H1 Executive Director Margarita Grigoryan, intense discussions are underway regarding her successor. Currently, 2-3 names are being circulated, including journalist Karlyan Aslanyan from Radio Azatutyun, analyst Nver Mnatsakanyan from the First News Agency, Acting Executive Director Armen Sargsyan, and Acting Director of News Programs Ruben Shahinyan, as well as the former advisor to the chairman of the Public Radio and Television Council, poet Tigran Paskhavichyan.

This is surprising since Tigran Paskhavichyan has had a poor breakup with his 30-year friend Ara Shirinyan, blaming him for stagnation and keeping the Public Television in a pro-Serj-like quagmire, subsequently resigning from his advisory position. However, our source indicates that Paskhavichyan's name is in the discussion, and if Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan decides that Paskhavichyan is Margarita's rightful successor, Ara Shirinyan will have no choice but to work with Tigran.

Regarding Karlyan Aslanyan, it is considered more likely that he could be appointed to H1's news and analytical programs than to the position of Executive Director. As for Nver Mnatsakanyan, he is generally ruled out; sources tell us that such news is either circulated by him or his friends. Although some regard Acting Director Armen Sargsyan as a temporary figure, it is possible he could be selected if no one else is found. There are also mentions of reporter Vard Simonyan as a contender for the Executive Director position. Some circles are even circulating the name of Tigran Hakobyan, the head of the Council of Public Radio and Television, although it is unclear why someone with expanding powers would take on this burden, regardless of how tempting the salary might be.

Incidentally, many share similar concerns, especially in these turbulent times. However, it cannot be ruled out that many people will participate in the competition, allowing Nikol Pashinyan to make his selection from the list of candidates.

It is worth noting that the scandal at Public Television has prompted deeper problems. It is possible that Ararat Hakobyan, Margarita Grigoryan's Deputy for Financial Affairs, and Karen Hakobyan, a staff member representing the NSS, have also submitted resignation letters. However, the spokesperson for Public Television denied the information regarding any other applications, stating: "I can say that after the council's statements that other people have also submitted applications, there is no information about this. They continue to carry out their work at this point."

In any case, our source is confident that a significant staff cleansing is expected, and besides Margarita Grigoryan, Petros Ghazaryan, and Vardan Hakobyan, several other applications are on the table that will be addressed post-competition, once the new director decides their fate regarding retention or dismissal.

The Acting Executive Director can work for six months; it will be interesting to see when the director's competition will be held – quickly or within that six-month timeframe. Opinions are divided, although it is more likely that after the state of emergency ends on May 14, the competition will be announced. Meanwhile, they are rectifying some "tails" left by Margarita Grigoryan, and an audit will be conducted.

Public's spokesperson Tigran Danielyan informed us that he is unaware of when the competition will be held, and advised us to refer to the Council of Public Television. Council member Stepan Zakaryan responded to the question of when the competition will take place, saying: "We are thinking maybe in a week, but I don't know, we haven't discussed it yet. We were considering doing so soon as there is a question of who will be on the competition commission, we are thinking about what commission to create to make the selection fair." It should be recalled that besides members of the Public Council, people from outside were invited to the competition for the director of Public Radio, including Yervand Yerznkyan and Marat Ordian. When we asked Stepan Zakaryan whether some other people should be invited, he replied: "We first need to establish the competition commission, that commission will determine the winner or winners, and then the council will select and appoint a director from among the winners."

By the way, in place of former director of news and analytical programs Petros Ghazaryan, the candidacy of Hovhannes Movsesyan, head of a governmental agency, is being considered, although reports suggest he is inclined to relocate.