Representatives of the “Ayakve” initiative held a protest in front of the OTA building, demanding an end to biased editorial policy.

Arminfo.  The civic initiative “Hayakve” held a protest in front of the building of Armenia’s Public Television (OTA), speaking out against the public broadcaster’s bias and one-sided coverage of events.

In particular, the initiative recalled that on September 27, the 6th anniversary of the start of the 44-day war in 2020, Public Television did not cover the events dedicated to that day and instead aired a video recording of a concert by singer Tata Simonyan.

At the same time, “Hayakve” movement coordinator Avetik Chalabyan уточнил in a conversation with journalists that the issue concerns not only this individual episode, but a systemic problem. According to him, OTA is not fulfilling the mission entrusted to it, but is acting as the “ruling party’s television channel,” presenting one-sided information. “The impression is created that the ruling Civil Contract party is the only source of information and the only force pursuing the correct political line,” Chalabyan noted.

In this regard, he said, “Hayakve” intends to submit a letter demanding that OTA dismiss Vasak Darbinyan, chairman of the Public Broadcaster’s Council, and Hovhannes Movsisyan, OTA’s executive director, as well as immediately revise OTA’s broadcasting rules and return it to the public. According to Chalabyan, around 300 public figures have signed the letter.

After submitting the letter, the initiative’s coordinator stated that if there is no proper response, they intend to turn to legal mechanisms and take appropriate action in this direction.