YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Adoption in the first reading of package of amendments to RA law "On Television and Radio" and to a number of laws proceeding from the latter failed at the October 3 sitting of RA National Assembly. It received 46 in favor and 1 opposed, whereas, at least 66 MPs should have taken part in the voting for the latter to be considered valid. Representatives of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun, Ardarutiun (Justice), National Unity, Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) factions and some independent MPs did not take part in the voting. At the discussion held during the September 26-27 NA special sittings the latters had proposed the government withdrawing the package, organizing enlarged hearings with participation of specialists of the spheres and representatives of interested organizations, revising the bill and only then putting it into circulation. On September 26, five journalist organizations made a statement of the same content. In particular, they expressed anxiety about a number of disputable provisions existing in the bill hastily put into circulation by the government. According to the above mentioned statement, these provisions "cause serious anxiety from point of view of freedom of expression and fair and objective regulation of TV and radio transmitting market."

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