Dissemination of content aimed at violent overthrow of constitutional  order

ArmInfo. The dissemination of content aimed at the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, promoting violence and cruelty, and interfering in the  domestic political life of the Republic of Armenia will be prohibited  in Armenia on foreign television and radio programs. The National  Assembly of the Republic of Armenia approved amendments to the Law  "On Audiovisual Media" at its session on February 13.

According to Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the  legal norms envisaged for the public multiplex will also apply to  network operators. The draft clarifies the legal grounds, criteria,  and mechanisms for the suspension and revocation of licenses for  network operators. The 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 illegal activity. A new article has been added regulating  the procedure for the suspension and revocation of a network  operator's license. 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, preventing abuse of  monopoly positions, and mitigating the risk of creating an uneven  playing field in the market. "At the same time, the changes are aimed  at restricting information that negatively impacts citizens, thereby  preventing the spread of disinformation, violence, hate speech, and  other harmful content," the minister noted.

He added that the government has no right to evaluate any television  program, as this is the responsibility of the appropriate body-the  Television and Radio Commission of Armenia. "We will only be able to  create a legal framework for the regulator, which currently has zero  leverage over undesirable content. The members of the Commission  themselves will evaluate this content. The changes will allow the  regulator to respond to various types of information attacks," he  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.