YEREVAN, 30 September, 2010 – International experience, challenges and opportunities of the switchover to digital broadcasting was the focus of the OSCE-organized seminar that was held today in Yerevan. The seminar brought together local broadcasters, representatives from the media industry, government, civil society and other stakeholders to learn about international experiences in the digital convergence and to benefit from the lessons learnt. It was also aimed at generating debate on legal, regulatory and other key issues in the digital transition process. In his opening remarks addressed to the seminar participants Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Ambassador Sergey Kapinos noted: “Digitalization should bring more diversity and plurality in the broadcasting media landscape. Well-thought switchover policies and sound legal framework would pave the way for a successful transition. We call on the Armenian authorities to continue media law reform to address the existing legal loopholes and stand ready to assist Armenia in this endeavor”. Andris Mellakauls, Vice-Chair of the Council of Europe Steering Committee on the Media and New Communications Services and Consultant to National Electronic Media Council of Latvia on International Affairs and European Media Policy, who was invited as a key-note speaker to the event, said: “The first project to switch over to digital television broadcasting in Latvia suffered an ignominious end but we recovered and from 1 June 2010 we have been digitalized. By learning from the Latvian experience, I sincerely hope Armenia can avoid the major pitfalls that very often occur in the switchover process”. According to the recently introduced amendments to broadcasting legislation Armenia should switch to digital broadcasting in 2015. Tenders for issuing new broadcast licenses have been already announced and licenses are to be awarded for a ten-year term. The seminar was organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan within its project on promoting public discussions on TV/Radio digitalization in Armenia funded by the Swedish Government.

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