ArmInfo. The public multiplex should not be used to serve foreign policy agendas, and Armenia's information space of Armenia should be free from the manipulative, propagandistic and provocative influence of any foreign force, attempting to interfere in the domestic political situation, as noted in the statement by the Commission on Television and Radio of the Republic of Armenia regarding the ongoing attacks on the country's authorities in the Russian segment of Armenia's public multiplex.
As noted in the statement, in December 2020, the Agreement "On Cooperation in Mass Telecommunications between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Russian Federation" was signed. One of the goals of this agreement was "further development of friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation in the field of telecommunications." According to the agreement, the public digital multiplex of Armenia broadcasts the TV programs "RTR-Planet", "First Channel. World Wide Web" and "RTR-Culture". The Commission has consistently recorded that RTR-Planeta and Channel One. World Wide Web have regularly violated and continue to violate the provisions of the Agreement and the legislation of the Republic of Armenia. They are in clear contradiction with the traditional, mutually respectful allied relations between Russia and Armenia.
Thus, Article 4 of the Agreement states that the Russian side undertakes to provide the Armenian public broadcaster with a universal broadcasting license, granting them the right to broadcast throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. Despite 4.5 years passing since the Agreement was signed, the Public TV Channel of the Republic of Armenia is still not broadcast in Russia. Moreover, during further bilateral discussions, the Armenian side learned that the concept of "universal broadcasting license" does not exist in the legislation of the Russian Federation. According to Article 5 of the Agreement, Russian TV channels must adhere to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, refrain from airing programs with offensive content towards the Armenian people and national values, and avoid interfering in Armenia's internal political life.
"However, we regret to note that the above-mentioned TV channels have repeatedly aired programs containing offensive expressions and distorted assessments of state institutions and citizens of the Republic of Armenia. They have replaced facts with emotional and aggressive descriptions. Article 6 of the Agreement requires compliance with the rules of national holidays and days of remembrance in the broadcasting state. According to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, broadcasting of advertising and entertainment programs on days of mourning and remembrance is prohibited. This provision has also been violated since the agreement was signed. For these and many other reasons, the decision to rebroadcast the TV programs "RTR-Planeta" and "First Channel" is justified. The World Wide Web has long been a matter of public debate in Armenia. The Broadcasting Commission continues to receive numerous complaints and proposals urging the regulatory body to prevent the public media space of the Republic of Armenia from becoming a permissive environment, where insults, disinformation, obscene language, justification of violence and violation of fundamental human rights become the norm and negatively affect public consciousness and behavior.
The background of hostility and permissiveness created by the messages of these TV companies doesn't contribute to fostering recognition, respect and appreciation between the societies of our two states. In this regard, we find it necessary to inform that the Broadcasting Commission has regularly and consistently reached out to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry outlining the violations recorded. We have proposed taking appropriate steps to fully implement the regulatory body's supervisory powers over foreign broadcasters and to make necessary legislative changes. We have highlighted this issue in our annual reports submitted to the National Assembly. We have attempted to resolve these contradictions through constructive dialogue during meetings with our Russian colleagues.
However, we must acknowledge that these two Russian TV channels continue to include disinformation and content that inflames social tensions in their programming, creating fertile ground for physical violence, blasphemous insults and hatred. The Commission reaffirms its stance: the public multiplex should not be used to serve foreign policy agendas, Armenia's information space should be free from the manipulative, propagandistic and provocative influence of any foreign force, attempts to interfere in the internal political situation. Our primary task is to protect public interests, national dignity and the right of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia to receive information from balanced and reliable sources," the statement reads.