Armenian television viewers switch to online media for news and other information

YEREVAN, November 21. /ARKA/. More and more Armenian television viewers are switching to online media to get the latest news and other information, the head of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression Ashot Melikyan said at a press conference on Tuesday, convened on the World Television Day, marked annually on November 21.

According to him, there are several reasons behind this switch. One is that the online media is quicker to respond to all events than TV channels, and the second reason is that Armenian TV channels are much less free than online media, as evidenced by many international organizations.

In his words, Armenian Public Television is a vivid confirmation of the fact that television in Armenia is not free. ‘It has failed to become ‘truly public," Melikyan said.

"The Public Television, being the main TV channel of the country, does not fulfill its functions, serving as the mouthpiece of the authorities rather than expressing the opinions of the entire Armenian public," Melikyan said.

Melikyan also noted that the updated Law on Television and Radio could become an important milestone in reforming the Armenian media, however it has too many flaws. He said the  justice ministry ignored  the leading Armenian mass media, when developing the updated version of the law and  did not invite them to hear their opinions as well. -0-

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18:11 11/21/2017