Armenian TV and Radio Commission to be granted the right to cease  rebroadcasting foreign television programs directly affecting the  state`s information security

ArmInfo.  The Armenian Television and Radio Commission will be granted the right to cease rebroadcasting foreign television programs that pose a direct threat to  the state's information security, as announced by Tigran  Hakobyan, Chairman of the Armenian Television and Radio Commission,  during  a November 4 meeting of the NA  joint commissions, where the  draft 2026 state budget is being discussed.

According to him, the draft amendments to the Law "On Audiovisual  Media" are already being circulated in the National Assembly.  Hakobyan noted that the commission currently lacks such authority,  but that the adoption of the law, which has been in development for  nearly a year with the RA Ministry of High-Tech Industry, will  resolve the issue. "With the adoption of the law, the commission will  have the authority to review any program coming from abroad within  one month, and if we find content that conflicts with national  legislation, the necessary measures will be taken. This primarily  concerns calls for war, racial discrimination, and other matters,"  Hakobyan noted.

He also stated that the commission insists on purchasing the  necessary equipment to monitor domestic television channels.  Specifically, the commission is requesting an additional 12 million  drams for the purchase of server hardware and other equipment, which  is crucial in the run-up to the 2026 parliamentary elections.

The head of the commission also touched on the issue of Shoghakat TV,  which the authorities are planning to close. Hakobyan noted that the  commission's representatives was not included in  any discussions  related to this television company, even though the oversight body  may have its own suggestions and comments.  "Back in 2019, when the  candidate for the head of the Public Broadcaster was being discussed  through a competitive process, the Commission raised the issue of  changing the Shoghakat concept in a two-page document. However, since  then, neither legislators nor the executive branch have done anything  about it.  The issue was only brought up again this year," Hakobyan  clarified.