International experience, challenges and opportunities of the switchover to digital broadcasting was the focus of the OSCE-organized seminar that was held on September 30 in Yerevan.

The seminar brought together local broadcasters, representatives from the media industry, government, civil society and other stakeholders. It was aimed at generating debate on legal, regulatory and other key issues in the digital transition process.

In his opening remarks addressed to the seminar participants Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Ambassador Sergey Kapinos noted: “The working group headed by Armenia’s Ombudsman should address the existing legal loopholes related to the switchover to digital broadcasting.” He said that the OSCE will provide the needed assistance for it. Besides, Kapinos advised the seminar participants to pay attention to the experience of Latvia, which was represented by Andris Mellakauls,Vice-Chair of the Council of Europe Steering Committee on the Media and New Communications Services and Consultant to National Electronic Media Council of Latvia on International Affairs and European Media Policy.

Chairman of the RA National Committee on Radio and Television Grigor Amalyan said that tenders for issuing new broadcast licenses will be held on October 10-20, 2010, in Yerevan, as well as on October 17-20 in regions. The winners will be announced until December 20, while licenses will be issued to them until January 20, 2011.

Chairman of Yerevan Press Club Boris Navasardyan said that the society treats tenders for broadcast licenses with distrust. “The new law should help overcome this phenomenon. For example, the reduction in number of TV companies that is foreseen under new amendments to the Law on Television and Radio has not been anyhow reasoned up to data,” said Boris Navasardyan.