COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONCERNED OVER LACK OF MEDIA PLURALISM IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer has expressed his concern upon the lack of mass media pluralism in Armenia. Due to the reports of the CE Yerevan office, this statement has been made following the recent decision by the Armenian National Commission for Television and Radio not to award broadcasting licenses to "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan" independent television companies. "Unfortunately, this decision is another example of the insufficient respect for pluralism in Armenia, which has been troubling us for several months - in particular during the recent election campaigns," - he said. In Schwimmer's words, it is high time for the Armenian leadership to accept a broader range of opinions as such if the republic wishes to intensify the process integration into Europe. To note, July 18 Armenian National Commission for TV and Radio announced the outcomes of the contest for broadcasting licenses, according to which "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan" TV companies did not receive the license.