Vahram Poghosyan: No Armenian TV Channels Have Closed in Artsakh

The spokesperson for the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Vahram Poghosyan, responding to circulated rumors, stated: “No Armenian TV channels have closed in Artsakh, and all speculations in this regard in recent days are simply unacceptable. Due to technical malfunctions, the free broadcasting of several TV channels has been temporarily suspended by Artsakh Communication LLC.” He advised those who see a political subtext in these issues to engage in more constructive activities.

It is worth noting that today, the Media Defender initiative released a statement saying, “The Media Defender initiative signals that the broadcasts of ‘5th Channel,’ ‘Shoghakat,’ ‘A-TV,’ and two other television companies have been suspended in the territory of the Republic of Artsakh.” According to Vahram Poghosyan's comments to the media, “The issue is purely technical: we are talking about 5 channels, three of which are from Yerevan, and two are other, sports, and music channels. As soon as the problems are resolved, the broadcasts of these channels will continue.”

The Media Defender initiative expresses hope that the suspension of Armenian television broadcasts in the territory of Artsakh does not pursue any political objectives and is not a step against freedom of speech. It would be regrettable if the newly elected President of the Republic of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, begins his term with steps against the free operation of the media and freedom of speech. As a modern democratic state, the Republic of Artsakh has always served as an example for the consolidation of democratic principles and the prioritization of the value of freedom of speech. We hope that this process is irreversible. Otherwise, it will deal a great blow to the reputation of the Republic of Artsakh, which faces challenges in gaining international recognition as a modern democratic state, where the free operation of the media and freedom of speech are of utmost importance.

The Media Defender initiative is confident that the issue is indeed technical, and that the broadcasts of the TV channels that were taken off air will be restored in the territory of the Republic of Artsakh in the near future. We will closely monitor the developments and pursue the process of resolving technical issues as swiftly as possible. If necessary, we will issue additional statements and provide necessary information to the public and relevant professional organizations that protect the free operation of the media regarding the situation.