Armenian court rules broadcasting fee system unconstitutional

The Armenian Constitutional Court ruled yesterday that Article 53(3) of the Armenian Law on Television and Radio, which gives the government unfettered discretion to determine the level of the broadcasting fee, is unconstitutional. The case had been brought by Radio Hay, a Yerevan-based broadcaster, who complained that the Ministry of Transport and Communications had demanded it pay a fee of USD27,000 when other broadcasters paid far less.

The full judgment will eventually appear here.