CEC on Equal Coverage and Media Violations

The requirement for free airtime for candidates poses a challenge for Armenian television channels. This was stated today during a press briefing with journalists by Liana Dokhikyan, a representative of the National Commission for Television and Radio, who presented the monitoring results of the pre-election period.

The commission has not yet prepared the results of the ongoing monitoring of equal coverage (positive, negative, and neutral) and violations of the silence day. Among the violations, she mentioned the case where the pre-election campaigning on the “New Armenia” television channel was not accompanied by the indicative graphics indicating this.

Following the commission's initiative, an administrative proceeding has been initiated. Additionally, the commission expressed concern regarding legislative changes which stipulate that political forces participating in the elections receive 15 minutes of free airtime not only on Public Television, as before, but also across all television channels that have obtained a broadcasting license within the public network (multiplex) with metropolitan coverage. This legislative change is being applied for the first time to the Yerevan city council elections.

Dokhikyan noted that this legislative requirement negatively affects the revenues of private television companies, which have already been steadily declining in viewership and advertising reduction over the years. She pointed out that there have been instances of interruptions on several channels (Freenews, ATV, and “Shant”) during the broadcast of news programs and pre-election campaigns. Such cases occurred on August 28 and September 11.

“Armenia's television and radio transmitting network” LLC had issued a statement that there would be no interruptions during the Yerevan city council elections, particularly during the main news broadcasts and pre-election advertising, yet periodic interruptions have continued during this timeframe,” Dokhikyan mentioned.

Regarding paid pre-election advertising, the Public Radio has set its rate at 1300 drams per minute, while the Public Television's rate is 48,000 drams. Private television channels determine their prices based on market conditions.

It is worth noting that city council elections are taking place in Yerevan today, with participation from 13 parties and one alliance.