Thus, after having made amendments to the RA Law “On Television and Radio”, the document “Criteria for erotic TV and radio programs, films, containing horror and violence scenes, as well as programs which could have negative influence on the health, mental, physical growth and education of minors” approved by the National Commission on Television and Radio on February 15, 2010 after 4 months of existence “expired”.

Do you need proofs?

On June 10, 2010 the RA National Assembly adopted Law “On Amendments and Supplements to the RA Law on Television and Radio”. The law, met with sensation and criticism, was elaborated by the RA Interdepartmental Commission on TV and Radio Digitalization. Journalistic organizations in various statements have mentioned that, under the veil of providing the transition to digital broadcasting, changes have been made to articles that do not deal with digitalization or licensing. For instance, an insignificant change has been made to Part 2 of Article 22 “Unacceptable Abuse of TV and Radio programs” (before the changes it was Article 24). Now it has the following formulation, “Erotic TV and radio programs, films, containing horror and violence scenes, as well as programs which could have negative influence on the health, mental, physical growth and education of minors can be broadcast at 24.00-06.00. Criteria for such programs are defined by law” (underlined by us – M.H.). To clarify, I must say that before the amendments, Article 24 of the acting law stated that it was the National Commission on Television and Radio who defined these criteria. The NCTR did it on February 15. And now after the changes it turns out that the document adopted by the NCTR is now dead, non-applicable, and for the definition of the criteria a new law must be adopted.

Now a question arises – was it necessary to elaborate criteria, organize discussions, pollute so much water and only for four months …

We will have to wait and see if some day somebody introduces to the National Assembly a draft law “On Criteria for erotic TV and radio programs, films, containing horror and violence scenes, as well as programs which could have negative influence on the health, mental, physical growth and education of minors”.

But until then TV stations can work the same way they had done before February 15, i.e. without dubious criteria.

Mesrop Harutyunyan

Expert of Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression