YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The state budget-financed Public Television of Armenia does not ensure citizens' right to receive free and balanced information, member of the NA "Heritage" faction Armen Martirosian stated at the May 14 discussion of the execution of the 2007 state budget at the RA National Assembly. In his words, last year the activities of the opposition were hardly covered, except for the campaign of the parliamentary elections. Instead, various shows and other "incompetible with our people" programs were excessively demonstrated. A. Martirosian pointed out that the possibility to broadcast all over Armenia gives the Public Television a considerable advertisement opportunity. The chairman of the Public Television and Radio Company's Council Alexan Harutyunian said that the state budgetary allocations, whose amount has not changed since 2003, are provided for broadcasting all over Armenia and satellite broadcasting abroad, while shows are prepared with commercial revenues. Accrding to him, the broadcasting all over Armenia is not sufficient to increase commercial revenues. He said that starting from September of this year, the number of political programs and TV debates will grow by nearly 50% and will be shown almost every day. He announced that the second program of the Public Television - "New Wave" will demonstrate only cultural and educational programs from September.

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