Armenia: Public TV chief resigns after PM’s live speech rehearsal leaksApril 20, 2020 - 19:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Executive Director of Armenia’s Public TV Company has resigned amid a scandal which began after footage from the dress rehearsal of a live speech from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan leaked online. Pashinyan addressed the nation live on Friday, April 17 in which he summarized the government’s projects aimed at easing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy. But footage from the dress rehearsal leaked online just hours after the live broadcast, which showed the Prime Minister coughing and preparing for the message. Pashinyan’s office was quick to demand an explanation from the Public TV Company, which was filming and transmitting his address, but the TV station revealed that eight other stations had access to the dress rehearsal and the live broadcast, as demanded by the Prime Minister’s staff. The Public TV said the Prime Minister should have been warned by his staff that they were already filming, but that his spokesperson failed to do so due to miscommunication. As a result, Margarita Grigoryan, Executive Director of the Public Television of Armenia, submitted her resignation on Monday. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |