YEREVAN, JUNE 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The function of press dissemination should not be licensed, it contradicts the Convention on Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Chairman of the Yerevan Press Club (YPC) Boris Navasardian expressed this opinion during a meeting with reporters on June 8. According to him, the RA Law on Postal Communication signed by the Armenian President last year has prepared some obstacles for private organizations engaged in subscription and dissemination of printed publications. Under the law, the companies implementing subscription and delivery of periodicals should be licensed by paying 5 mln drams (about 11.9 thousand USD). B. Navasardian said that since last year, the private companies engaged in the dissemination of press and in journalistic social activities have demanded that some provisions of the indicated law be cancelled, as these provisions aim to make the subscription and delivery of periodicals a monopoly and prevent the free dissemination of information. As a result of the law's application, Haypost and Haymamul will gain a monopoly in the sector. He informed reporters that on June 9 the RA National Assembly Standing Committee of Financial, Credit, Budget and Economic Issues will discuss the legislative initiative of deputies Gurgen Arsenian and Grigor Ghonjeyan, which proposes making amendments to the Law on Postal Communication, the Law on State Duty and the Law on Licensing. According to B. Navasardin, the adoption of these amendments would remove the above mentioned concerns.

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