Home > 1.3.1.1.2 Accessibility to the media by participants in the election > ARMENIA - Joint Urgent Opinion on Amendemnts to the Electoral Code and Related Legislation
 
 
 
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Paragraph 68
 

Article 21 of the draft Code regulates the mission of public and private radio and television companies to ensure non-discriminatory conditions for candidates, political parties and coalitions. The provision guarantees free airtime in public media (para 1 and 2), equal access to paid airtime in public and private media (para 2 and 6) and impartial and unbiased information on election campaigns (para 3 and 6). The main innovation of this provision is the obligation imposed on the Public Television Company to organise debates. While the right to express opinions and ideas also encompasses the right not to express them, this provision does not seem to infringe the freedom of expression, as the duty to participate in the debates is aimed to guarantee the right of voters to receive information and to foster political participation.