Armenian government approves closure of Shoghakat TV

The Armenian government on Thursday approved a decision to dissolve Shoghakat TV, a state-owned spiritual and cultural broadcaster.

The decision was adopted without debate and is based on amendments to the law on audiovisual media passed on 24 October 2025, according to the official justification.

Shoghakat TV operates as a closed joint-stock company formally known as the Spiritual and Cultural Public Television Company. It was established by a government decree in 2011, with its shares managed by the Public TV and Radio Council. The channel’s main mission has been the production and broadcast of religious and cultural programs.

The government said the move is part of a broader reform agenda outlined in its 2021–2026 program, aimed at optimizing the structure and number of state-owned commercial organizations.

Last month, parliament passed legislative changes proposed by ruling Civil Contract party MPs that reduced the number of public television channels from three to two. Critics argue that the changes were designed specifically to shut down Shoghakat, which has recently taken a more critical stance toward the authorities.