Armenian parliament majority rejects motion to dismiss broadcasting regulator member

The ruling Civil Contract faction in Armenia’s National Assembly on Friday rejected an opposition motion to dismiss Hakob Hakobyan, also known as Hakob Movses, as a member of the Television and Radio Commission (TRC).

The motion, initiated by the Hayastan faction, was supported by 28 opposition MPs who participated in the vote. The parliament majority skipped the vote, allowing Hakobyan to remain in office.

The announcement came after parliament concluded its main agenda items, all of which were approved by the majority. National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan stated that MPs would briefly reconvene to hear the official results of the vote on Hakobyan’s mandate.

Earlier in the day, Head of the Counting Commission Narek Babayan said voting would take place in an adjacent hall until 10:45 a.m. He later confirmed that 28 deputies had cast ballots.

During the session, lawmakers passed six draft laws, including amendments to the Land Code, revisions to the Law on Trade and Industry Chambers, changes to the Law on Audiovisual Media, and legislative updates concerning the rights of persons with disabilities and the regulation of gaming activities.

Under the proposed amendments to the Law on Audiovisual Media, the Television and Radio Commission would be empowered to determine whether foreign audiovisual broadcasts constitute interference in Armenia’s domestic political affairs. If such interference is established, the regulator would have the authority to suspend the broadcast of the program in question.

Simonyan also announced that a special parliament sitting would be convened after the recess.