The issue of developing state development strategy in Armenia of television and radio spheres is not within the competence of the National Commission of Television and Radio

ArmInfo. The issue of  developing state development strategy in Armenia of  television and  radio spheres is not within the competence of the National Commission  of Television and Radio, on July 7, the head of the commission Gagik  Buniatyan stated from the platform of Armenian Parliament answering  the question of Nikol Pashinyan, lawmaker  of National Assembly of  the Armenia, whether the state policy in the field of television and  radio broadcasting is being worked out.

According to Buniatyan, there are countries with information  ministries that are engaged in advocacy, but this policy for  Armenia  is fraught with certain negative consequences. For this reason, at  present there is no such structure in the republic, which, according  to Buniatyan, is a positive phenomenon, and the commission headed by  him does not deal with such issues. In order to address the issues  raised, it will be possible to find solutions in other formats, hold  forums and conferences.

Presenting the annual report on the activities of the commission in  2016, Gagik Buniatyan said that during the reporting period, 95  television and 18 radio companies operated in the country. During the  past year, the commission granted 7 licenses for broadcasting, of  which 3 - to Yerevan, and 4 - to the region. In addition, in 2016,  the broadcasting of 8 radio licenses for broadcasting of radio  programs was terminated, 4 of them according to the application and  the same number in connection with the expiration of licenses. Last  year, 19 applications for the renewal of licenses for broadcasting  were also approved. Penalties in the amount of 198.3 million drams  were applied for violation of the provisions of the current  legislation with regard to a number of TV and radio companies.