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NEW FREQUENCY TENDER EXPECTED IN MAY

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On April 2 it will be a year since ”A1+” TV Company was banned from air. Despite demands and persuasions of CE, EU, OSCE, other international organisations and promises of Armenian Authorities, frequency tender hasn’t been conducted in Yerevan for a year and “A1+” re-broadcasting opportunity is artificially blocked .

As a result of TV and Radio National Committee’ activity, TV channels of Yerevan are facing an obscure situation.

5 TV Companies /Dar-21, Yerevan-TV, Armen Akob, TV-5, CNN/ broadcast without the appropriate licence. The frequency tender announced for these channels on October 15 is still delayed. The reason is that Committee spreads illegal activity.

Court considered proved TV and Radio Committee didn’t illegally accept Noyan Tapan papers and gave cause for starting legal proceedings. Court scrapes last for about 6 months and may probably continue if TV Companies dispute Economic Court verdict before Appeal Court.

But Committee must think over holding a new frequency tender.

4 TV Companies – “Prometheus”, “Paradise” /Russian NTV broadcasts/, Cinemax / now Euronews broadcasts / and “Ar” still work without licence. These stations had had no licence even before TV and Radio Committee was set up. They used to broadcast according to the arrangement concluded with Television Network of Armenia.

These 4 stations have no commitment and de facto can do anything they wish. The tender for the above 4 TV stations was to take place last year but Committee assumes the right to display self-will attitude .

Besides, broadcasting licence of “Armenia” TV Company /25th decimetre frequency range/ will soon expire. For that range Committee must hold a tender on May 3. Through inactivity Committee creates unequal contest conditions for the TV Companies.

Nevertheless, “A1+” will use any chance or occasion to reappear in the air. If Court scrapes don’t stop and if the frequency tender announced last October 15 is again delayed, “A1+” will take part in the tender that Committee will announce for in May .