VIDEO: Close 'Shoghakat' and Allocate Funds to 'Public': Arsen Torosyan

"Let’s not allocate that 206 million, but give it to Public. It will enhance its cultural and educational programming, provide more products, and we can completely close the issue of 'Shoghakat'." This was stated by ruling party MP Arsen Torosyan addressing Ara Shirinyan, the chairman of the Public Broadcaster's Council, in the National Assembly.

"I don’t remember the last time I watched it. Is there any statistics on how many people actually watch 'Shoghakat'? Has its feasibility been assessed in any way?" Torosyan said.

In response, Ara Shirinyan remarked, "This question comes up frequently. It is a legal requirement for the public broadcaster to have an educational and cultural section. Any company can become a partner; the state can fully cover the costs. The budget for the public television company is 6 billion, and if we have an additional 6 billion, we can create a channel from scratch, but we also need to build a building. Furthermore, the 206 million you mentioned is not a number sufficient to maintain any channel at all."