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SIX YEARS LATER: A1+ STILL OFF AIR

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Six years ago, on April 2, 2002, Armenia's leading television station went off the air after the government refused to renew its broadcast license in a tender held in Armenian for the first time.

On April 2, 2002, Armenia's National Radio and Television Commission (NRTC) restricted freedom of speech in the country at a blow.

Six years have passed since the closure of A1+ TV Channel but even six years later Armenia doesn't rank among the countries which stand out with a high level of freedom of speech.

During these six years A1+ has participated in 12 tenders for TV and radio frequencies but all in vain as the NRTC hasn't granted the Company a license to return to the air.

A1+ was closed down in 2003, a year before the presidential election. Some people expected such a turn of events, others were taken unawares. On the eve of its closure A1+ served an outlet for the political forces and parties to express their viewpoints on live-air.

Despite their political orientation people hosted at A1+ announced that the TV Channel mustn't be closed down. However, regardless of thousands of demonstrators protesting the government's decision to close one of the country's most-watched television stations, the company went off the air.

A1+ went off the air, but it didn't stop functioning. Six years later A1+ has remained true to its principles and audience.

“Read us to recognise better…”

A1+ is still on the air for all those who love and instill confidence in us although six years ago our heart stopped throbbing, and unbiased, urgent and multi-fold information covered by A1+ was replaced by a “black rustle.”