Human Rights Watch’s Article Regarding Broadcasting Licenses’ Decision
Armenia: New Rebuff to Broadcaster:
Authorities Deny License for Critical Voice Despite Court Judgment
(New York) – Armenia has denied a broadcast license to an independent television station, A1+, despite a European Court of Human Rights judgment that previous denials violated freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said today.
“Today’s decision is another setback for freedom of expression and information in Armenia,” said Giorgi Gogia, South Caucasus researcher at Human Rights Watch. “It’s clear that keeping a critic off the air is more important to this government than its international legal obligations.”
A1+, an independent station well-known for its criticism of government policy, was taken off the air in 2002 after its license was rescinded, but continued to operate a popular news website and online television station. Since then it had made 12 unsuccessful applications for a new broadcast license.
On December 16, 2010, the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR), the body in charge of issuing broadcasting licenses in Armenia, denied A1+ station’s application for the 13th time. The commission is staffed entirely with presidential appointees.
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