 Studies done by the Caucasus Media Institute found that 75 percent of public television's campaign coverage is devoted to the three parties of Armenia's government coalition.
There are several dozen TV and radio stations operating in Yerevan and other parts of the country. Practically all of them are believed to be controlled by or loyal to the government, rarely airing any criticism of President Kocharian and Prime Minister Sarkisian. This is particularly true for Armenian Public Television and the major private networks, most of them owned by government-connected businessmen. OSCE observers criticized their coverage of the 2003 presidential election as extremely biased against the opposition. The only Armenian TV channel that defied the authorities was controversially pulled off the air in 2002.
Often-conflicting interests and competition within the Kocharian camp have made for more pluralism and objectivity in the broadcasters' coverage of the 2007 election campaign, however. Two of the channels, the ARF-controlled Yerkir-Media and Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukian's Kentron, may well turn on the RPA-led government if their patrons are unhappy with the conduct and outcome of the polls.
But for the moment, the Yerevan-based broadcasters seem united in clearly limiting opposition access to the airwaves. Earlier this year, they sparked a controversy by setting suspiciously high prices for election campaign advertisements, which few opposition parties can afford. Their managers denied opposition claims that the high rates were imposed on them by the government.
Armenian law entitles every party or bloc running for parliament to 60 and 120 minutes of free airtime on Public Television and Public Radio, respectively.
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