ArmInfo. The initiative to close the Shoghakat TV channel of the Armenian Apostolic Church was put forward at a meeting of the commissions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia by MP from the ruling Civil Contract faction Arsen Torosyan.
Addressing the Chairman of the Council of Public Broadcaster of Armenia Ara Shirinyan, the MP inquired about the latter's opinion regarding this possibility and the redirection of budget funds to the Public Television of Armenia. "Is it not possible to redirect the 206 million drams allocated to the <Shoghakat> TV channel to the Public Television of Armenia?" Torosyan asked.
In his opinion, these funds can contribute to a significant enrichment of scientific, educational, and cultural programs broadcast on PTA.
However, Ara Shirinyan did not agree with this initiative, noting that 206 million drams is not a figure that can contribute to the support of any TV channel.
The Shoghakat TV channel is partially financed by the AAC and partially by the state budget. The Armenian authorities have embarked on a path of direct confrontation with the AAC, which is largely due to the fact that the leader of the opposition "Tavush for the Motherland" movement is Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. The authorities are already discussing the possibility of taxing the church and confiscating part of its property.