Opposition Refuses to Appear on Public TV: Why?
Hovhannes Movsisyan, Executive Director of the Public Television Company (PTC), stated that opposition figures frequently decline to participate in programs and then accuse the PTC of bias.
“You say we don’t provide airtime, but for several years now, we have invited various representatives who said they would come and did not. We are ready to provide a full 20-25 minutes, but there is no participation,” he said.
The PTC Director also addressed the opposition’s criticism that their comments are misrepresented on public airwaves. “In many cases, we have edited your words to maintain respectability on air. Regarding Petros Ghazaryan’s speeches, he is a political commentator and has the right to express his opinion. If you believe there is an ethical violation, you can appeal to the relevant body,” Movsisyan noted.
During the discussion, the topic of church rites was also raised. Sisag Gabrielyan, in response to a question from Mrs. Galstyan, declared: “You say the Liturgy (Patarag) is fake. People have gathered, they are praying. How can that be fake?”
In response, Mrs. Galstyan noted that the Liturgy is a ritual that must be performed according to established rules. She also mentioned that the public broadcaster did not fully pronounce the name of the Catholicos (Vicar/Vehepar).
The presiding Gabrielyan added that in official speeches, you can say ‘Prime Minister Pashinyan’ instead of “Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, elected by the public.”