What changes are proposed in the Law on Audiovisual Media? The National Assembly adopted the submitted draft in the first reading

The National Assembly adopted the bill On Amendments and Addenda to the Law on Audiovisual Media in the first reading, with 65 deputies voting in favor, 0 against, and 33 abstaining. The amendments were presented by the Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, during the January 21 plenary session of the National Assembly.

The proposed legislative amendments revise provisions related to the functions of the Regulatory Authority, the procedures for applying to participate in the licensing competition for the use of a public multiplex slot, authorization, and the suspension or termination of a license.

Several other significant technical amendments have also been introduced, expanding the authority of the supervisory regulatory state body.

Elaborating on the amendments, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that, in accordance with Part 5 of Article 32 of the current Law, when a broadcaster’s authorization or license is suspended or terminated, the Regulatory State Body must notify the multiplex operators transmitting the program within three days to ensure the immediate cessation of the broadcast.

With the new amendments, it is proposed that the Regulatory State Body will also be responsible for notifying the network operator by transmitting the program.

Additionally, the draft proposes requiring a certificate to be attached to the application for participation in the licensing competition for the use of a public multiplex slot, confirming the absence of overdue debts and obligations related to broadcasting services.

According to Article 58, Part 1, Clause 7 of the RA Law on Audiovisual Media, a broadcaster’s authorization or license is suspended if the requirements of Article 9, Part 1 have been violated—specifically, the dissemination of calls for actions prohibited by law in audiovisual programs. If such calls are made during a live broadcast, the broadcaster is not held liable if the author was warned during the broadcast, and, in the case of a repeated violation, the live broadcast is stopped.

The draft proposes introducing a procedure for terminating the authorization or license if a broadcaster airs audiovisual programs while their audiovisual program or broadcast operation has been suspended by the Regulatory State Body.

Under the proposed regulation, if a broadcaster transmits audiovisual programs during a suspension period of up to 30 days, their authorization or license will be revoked.

The draft also proposes reviewing the Regulatory Body’s role in monitoring compliance with technical standards for audiovisual programs. Currently, the law stipulates that these standards are set by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The amendment proposes transferring this responsibility to the National Body for Standards and Metrology.

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan emphasized that the Ministry of High-Tech Industry has been engaged in discussions with the RA National Assembly and parliamentary colleagues for months to develop a comprehensive amendment package. He expressed hope that the package will be finalized and submitted to the National Assembly in the coming months.

MPs Gegham Manukyan, Lilit Galstyan, Gegham Nazaryan, and Sisak Gabrielyan asked the Minister questions about the bill, to which clarifications and exhaustive answers were provided. The Chair of the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth, and Sports, Sisak Gabrielyan, presented the Committee’s endorsement of the draft. MPs Garnik Danielyan, Gegham Nazaryan, Zaruhi Batoyan, and Artur Hovhannisyan delivered speeches during the exchange of views.

As a result of the regulations proposed in the draft, misinterpretations in the law will be effectively eliminated, ensuring the principle of legal certainty.

The submitted bill was developed by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia.