I Do Not Intend to Become a Tool in Anyone's Hands. I Am Terminating My Cooperation with Public Television: Tovmasyan

I do not intend to become a tool in anyone's hands to resolve their personal issues. I have made the decision to terminate my cooperation with Armenia's Public Television and to dissolve my current contract, wrote television presenter Lusine Tovmasyan.

“The head of the television company ordered me to be replaced by another presenter in the show whose first episode had already been filmed. The reason: an interview I conducted with one of the world's most famous classical musicians, Lang Lang, who was invited to Armenia with state funding, as well as the interview I had with Sergey Smbatyan, which was intended to be published on social platforms. I must point out that there is no clause in my employment contract prohibiting that.

It is clear that this decision was outside the framework of professional relations and was dictated by personal relationships. Therefore, I do not intend to become a tool in anyone's hands to resolve their personal issues.

Additionally, during our last meeting, Hovhannes Movsisyan personally informed me of this reasoning. It is noteworthy, or perhaps paradoxical, that the concert was filmed precisely at the request of Armenia's Public Television and with the creative team from there.

I have always refrained from promoting casinos and harmful habits, collaborating with other television companies in competition, or participating in any political processes, and this has been my personal decision. Instead, I have always gladly accepted professional offers that are cultural and interesting to me. I find any limitation of my rights in this regard unacceptable.

I would like to thank my colleagues at First Channel for the beautiful and interesting collaboration. I hope that one day we will meet in a fair working environment. First Channel will continue to be my home, and although I am leaving at this moment, I will not forget the way back home. I love all my reasonable colleagues, and to the others, I offer forgiveness, hoping that they do not fully understand what they are doing.”