Armenia and Russia are set to hold consultations in Moscow regarding the content of Russian television channels broadcasted in Armenia.
On Monday, March 18, Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan announced the upcoming consultations between the two countries in Moscow, during which the Armenian side will present its proposals regarding the content of Russian TV channels available in Armenia. He provided this information during a conversation with journalists at the National Assembly.
Hayrapetyan stated that the Armenian government has its own proposals and solutions to address the issue of the content of Russian channels. He emphasized that these solutions must align with both the logic of the agreement between the two countries and the interests of Armenia, including the protection of state symbols and the dignity of the people.
Previous consultations on this issue took place in December 2023 between Armenia's high-tech industry and Russia's ministries of digital development, communications, and mass media. However, according to the minister, there have been no changes in the content of Russian channels, and recently, the frequency of broadcasts with ironic and offensive statements towards Armenia has even increased.
Hayrapetyan also noted that the tools provided by the agreement to prevent such content have proven ineffective. He did not disclose details of the Armenian side's proposals regarding the possible exclusion of Russian TV channels from the public multiplex.
In December 2023, the Armenian Radio and Television Commission suspended the broadcast of the Russian radio station Sputnik in the country for 30 days "due to ironic and humiliating statements about Armenia and its people" on air.
Earlier, a member of the Armenian parliament from the ruling faction "Civil Contract," Lusine Badalyan, stated that Armenian authorities are discussing the possibility of disconnecting the broadcast of Russian TV channels in the country.
Currently, Russian channels such as "Channel One," "Russia-Kultura," and "RTR-Planeta" are broadcasted in Armenia via the public multiplex. Additionally, the interstate channel "Mir," headquartered in Moscow, also broadcasts in Armenia.
