The Crew of the Deprived H2 Handed a Letter to the EU Representation in Armenia

The crew of the deprived "Armenian Second" television channel held a symbolic action today, February 15, during which they handed a letter to the EU representation in Armenia. Shavarsh Gevorgyan, the head of the television program "Lraber," stated in a conversation with journalists: "You are all aware of the story of the deprivation of the 'Armenian Second' television channel's broadcasting rights. We have prepared letters that we are to deliver to the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the Russian Embassy, the French Embassy, as well as the EU office in Armenia."

Shavarsh Gevorgyan read the letter: “The Regulatory Commission, under the presidency of Tigran Hakobyan, made a decision on January 15, 2021, according to which the Armenian Second TV channel was deprived of the opportunity to conduct terrestrial broadcasting. It is noteworthy that among the existing television channels, only the Armenian Second has lost its right to broadcast on the public multiplex as a result of this decision.

In recent years, the political persecution against our television channel's owner, Samvel Mayrapetyan, combined with numerous and consistent measures directed at silencing us, leaves no doubt that the aforementioned decision fully fits within the same logic. For over 20 years, the Armenian Second TV channel has been broadcasted throughout the territory of Armenia; it has been and continues to be a free and impartial media outlet. The broadcasting of free and impartial media with state coverage is unprecedented in the history of Armenia and constitutes a significant blow to freedom of speech and press, and most importantly, to democracy in Armenia.

The Armenian Second TV channel will fight by all legally prescribed means to restore the vital democratic right of Armenian citizens to receive free and impartial information.”

Shavarsh Gevorgyan also informed that letters will be sent to human rights and journalistic organizations operating in Armenia, as well as to the Human Rights Defender. He emphasized that they have also approached the court, and the case has been accepted into proceedings. “We will have a press conference shortly, during which the leadership of the television channel will address all details and questions,” he added.