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.