The MP of the Civil Contract Party Opposes the Cessation of Broadcasting of Certain Russian TV Channels in Armenia

Gurgen Arsenyan, an MP from the ruling Civil Contract Party, is against the suspension of broadcasting certain Russian TV channels in Armenia. He made this statement during a briefing in the National Assembly today.

“Freedom of speech is freedom of speech because the process of suspension can go on indefinitely... We turn off this channel, then that one, and then we turn you off... What’s next?” he emphasized.

In response to the question about how he feels regarding the harsh criticisms directed at Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the broadcast of Russian First Channel yesterday, he replied, “Once again, without spending a single dram, the rating of our country’s leader has increased.”

It is noteworthy that a few weeks ago, another MP from the ruling Civil Contract Party, Lusine Badalyan, stated that there is a need to disconnect Russian TV channels due to “anti-Armenian content” which poses a threat to the country's national security. She also mentioned that discussions regarding such an initiative have been ongoing and will be raised in the National Assembly.

Grigory Karasin, the head of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation, responded to the statements made by the Civil Contract MP, expressing confidence that such initiatives would not find support in Armenia and would not undermine the longstanding friendship between the two nations for the sake of any political conjuncture.