Armenia to ban broadcast content advocating for violent overthrow of  constitutional order

ArmInfo. The distribution of content aimed at promoting violence and cruelty,  advocating for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, as  well as interfering in the domestic political life of the Republic of  Armenia on foreign television and radio programs, will be prohibited  in Armenia.  The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia will  discuss amendments to the Law on Audiovisual Media in its second  reading at its plenary session on April 14.

Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan stated that the  draft clarifies the legal grounds, criteria, and mechanisms for the  suspension and revocation of licenses for network operators.  Requirements for the activities of audiovisual program distributors  have also been revised and edited. Amendments and additions have been  made to the section on fines, particularly in cases of unlawful  activity. A new article has been added regulating the procedure for  suspending and revoking network operator licenses. The proposed  amendments and additions will improve control and regulation  mechanisms in the audiovisual media sector, increasing the  applicability and practical effectiveness of the law.

The Minister noted that the adoption of the draft will prevent  ambiguous interpretations and ensure a predictable legal environment  for entities operating in this sector. Equal competitive conditions  will be established, ensuring fair competition, eliminating abuses of  monopoly power, and mitigating the risk of creating an unequal  playing field in the market.

"At the same time, the amendments are aimed at limiting information  that negatively impacts citizens, thereby preventing the spread of  disinformation, violence, hate speech, and other harmful content,"  the Minister emphasized.

It is envisaged that legal mechanisms for information protection will  be created to prevent external influence on Armenia's information  space, ensuring control and oversight consistent with national  security.  -0-