Vesting NCTR with the right to suspend broadcasters' licenses tantamount to "hidden censorship"

YEREVAN, April 20. /ARKA/. Ashot Melikyan, the chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, said today the planned vesting of the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) of Armenia with the right to suspend broadcasters' licenses is tantamount to "hidden censorship."

He said the change is envisioned by the draft Electoral Code of Armenia, which he said if accepted would vest the regulatory body with judiciary powers.

"The authority to suspend television and radio licenses must be granted only to court, as provided by the current law,"  he said.

According to the current law "On Television and Radio,' NCTR’s powers include issuance of warnings and penalizing broadcasters for violation of the law, but not suspension of their license.

According to Melikyan, if the Commission is vested with judicial functions, broadcasting companies, which will be deprived of licenses will not be able to defend themselves and cite their own counter arguments.-0--

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18:55 04/20/2016