The National Commission for Television and Radio Responds to the Russian Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Armenia evaluates the decision of the Television and Radio Commission as a concession to those who are increasingly advocating for the severance of the traditional, mutually beneficial, and respectful allied relations between Russia and Armenia. The Television and Radio Commission made this statement.

The Embassy of Russia in Armenia issued a comment regarding the decision of the Commission to halt the broadcasting of 'Sputnik Armenia,' expressing regret about the regulatory body's ruling, as it restricts the 'absolute right of the Armenian listener to receive information from his preferred source.' The Embassy assesses the Commission's decision as a concession to those who speak ever more loudly in favor of breaking the traditional, mutually beneficial, and respectful allied relations between Russia and Armenia.

In connection with the Embassy's aforementioned comment, we find it necessary to provide additional clarification regarding the HRT decision. By its decision N111-A of December 20 this year, the Commission suspended the broadcasting license of 'Radio Tospа' LLC for 30 days (not for 'Sputnik Armenia,' which is outside the regulatory functions of the HRT and continues to operate on all media platforms in Armenia, except public multiplexes). Receiving a broadcasting license within the limited frequency domain belonging to Armenia in 2017, 'Radio Tospа' committed to strictly adhere to both the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and the obligations undertaken by the license agreement.

However, the content of the show 'Friday with Tigran Keosayan,' rebroadcast by 'Radio Tospа,' has repeatedly grossly violated both Armenian legislation and is in clear contradiction with the Embassy's mention of the 'traditional, respectful allied relations between Russia and Armenia.' Within its constitutional powers, the Commission ensures and continues to ensure the 'absolute right of the Armenian listener to receive information from the source of their choice.' Nevertheless, the monologues of the host of the 'Friday with Tigran Keosayan' show lack basic respect for the allied country, its people, and leadership, and even with great imagination, it is difficult to call it a 'source of information.' It is particularly alarming that such content is broadcast by a Russian state media outlet.

The response from the leadership of 'Radio Sputnik' and the 'Rossiya Segodnya' international news agency to the Armenian regulatory body's decision is also disappointing. In such situations, instead of apologizing, or at least showing willingness for constructive dialogue to prevent similar incidents in the future, the editorial leaders of 'Radio Sputnik' limited themselves to ungracious statements directed at 'the allied Armenia' and accused the Armenian authorities and regulatory body of 'suppressing free speech.'