Amendments oblige Armenian TV channels to broadcast at least one child and news programs a day in sign language or with subtitles

YEREVAN, October 5. / ARKA /. Armenia’s National Assembly (parliament) has passed today a package of amendments to the Law On Radio and Television, which oblige Armenian TV channels to broadcast at least one child and news programs a day in sign language or with subtitles.

"Those Armenian TV companies that broadcast children's and / or news programs, are obliged to ensure their accessibility for the deaf people, as well as to provide one hour air time a day for broadcasting children and news programs on sign language or with Armenian subtitles," minister of justice Hrayr Tovmasian, said when presenting the bill.

According to him, this requirement of the law applied earlier only to the Public Television of Armenia.
"This bill has been developed in close cooperation with Armenian TV companies which have expressed their readiness to implement our requirements," he said.

He also stressed that daily broadcasts of child and information programs in sign language or with subtitles will attract new audiences.

"Representatives of many channels, however, are concerned about the lack of relevant experts, but are ready to gradually increase the number of programs on sign language or with subtitles," the minister said, adding that this bill is just the first step in ensuring the availability of information to deaf people. -0-

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01:32 10/06/2011