Today, on 12 February, a special session was convened in the Commission on TV and Radio of Armenia, with the questions on the agenda on the adoption of administrative acts against “ARMNEWS” CJSC (http://tvradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/16-22.pdf) and “RADIO 107 FM” LLC (http://tvradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/17-22.pdf) Companies.

Presenting the issues on the agenda, it was mentioned that the Commission, in carrying out the control functions assigned to it by the Law about Audiovisual Media, as a result of monitoring the “ARMNEWS” CJSC’s “ARMNEWS” audiovisual program and “ARMNEWS FM” audio program of “RADIO 107 FM” LLC providing audio media service found that on 11 February, 2022, from 00:01:00, the broadcasters did not provide the broadcasting of audio-visual programs for more than 24 hours.

It should be added that despite the fact that the founders of “Qaryak Media” announced the termination of their activities, the latter did not officially inform the Commission in a statement or in writing about the licenses of “ARMNEWS” CJSC” and RADIO 107 FM” LLC about their decision to terminate .

According to Article 58, Part 3, Clause 5 of the Law about Audiovisual Media, the license is terminated if an application has been submitted.  

Taking into account the mentioned circumstance, in accordance with the Law on “Fundamentals of Administration and Administrative Proceedings”, the Commission initiated administrative proceedings against the Broadcasters on 12 February, 2022,

As a result of the comprehensive investigation of the administrative proceedings, the Commission states that the Broadcasters did not provide the audio-visual broadcasts for 24 hours without any grounded reason, and the latter did not provide any justification for the termination of the broadcasts.

Pursuant to Article 58, Part 1, Clause 4 of the Law about Audiovisual Media, the validity of the Broadcaster’s authorization or license shall be suspended if the licensed Broadcaster has not provided broadcasting of audio-visual programs for 24 hours without grounded reason.

Based on the above, being guided by Article 55, Part 1, Clause 3, Article 58, Part 1, Clause 4, Article 34, Part 1 and Article 36, Part 1, Clause 12, of the Law on Licensing, the Commission on Television and Radio decided to impose an administrative penalty to suspend the license of “ARMNEWS” CJSC  and “RADIO 107 FM” LLC for a period of five days.