In Certain Cases, Rebroadcasting of Foreign Audiovisual Programs Will Be Halted

According to the Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, rebroadcasting of foreign audiovisual programs can only occur based on a written agreement between a licensed network operator and the holder of property rights to the foreign audiovisual program, provided that a paper or electronic notification is submitted to the regulatory state body.

He stated during a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Education, Science, Culture that the next provision specifies that after being notified by the regulatory state body of the initiation of an administrative proceeding regarding apparent violations of the requirements to exclude interference in the internal political life of the Republic of Armenia from foreign audiovisual programs, the licensed network operator must cease the rebroadcasting of the pertinent program within 24 hours.

Another provision states that in the event of the initiation of an administrative proceeding regarding violations of the requirements of part one of Article 9 of the Law or the discovery of apparent violations concerning interference in the internal political life of the Republic of Armenia in foreign audiovisual programs, the network operator, which is rebroadcasting based on a written agreement with the holder of the property rights to that program, must submit recordings of audiovisual programs or broadcasts within 15 working days after receiving the request from the regulatory state body.

It was also noted that the requested recordings or audio materials may not need to be submitted if 30 days have passed since the apparent violation day as of the date of the initiation of the administrative proceedings.