Armenia passes bill banning foreign media content deemed to interfere in domestic politics

The Armenian parliament has approved sweeping amendments to its law on audiovisual media, introducing tighter content restrictions, including a ban on foreign broadcasts considered to interfere in the country’s internal political affairs.

The government-backed legislation revises Article 9, broadening the categories of prohibited material. Broadcasters are now barred from airing content that advocates the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, promotes war, incites violence or cruelty, or stokes hatred and discrimination on national, racial, gender, religious, or other grounds. The dissemination of pornography and content encouraging criminal or otherwise illegal acts is also prohibited.

The amendments further limit the broadcast of material promoting criminal subculture, while allowing erotic content and films containing explicit violence or potentially harmful material for minors to be aired only between midnight and 6:00 a.m., unless access is restricted through technical safeguards.

A key new provision explicitly bans the distribution of foreign audiovisual programs containing elements of interference in Armenia’s domestic political life.

Broadcasters will not be held liable for violations during live transmissions – except in cases involving pornography – provided that an on-air warning is issued and repeated breaches result in the termination of the broadcast.

The law also grants the regulatory authority powers to define criteria for abusive content and mandates that suspected criminal violations be referred to law enforcement agencies.

Additional measures prohibit the airing of entertainment programming and advertising on officially designated national days of mourning and remembrance.

Amendments to Article 49 stipulate that retransmission of audiovisual content by network operators requires prior written consent from rights holders, including foreign entities. Operators must also notify the regulator before retransmitting foreign programs in line with established procedures.