I know many you are concerned about governments recent
I raised this issue and was told that the government is open to amending the law this fall, she added. We will look forward to working with the Armenian government on this specific issue and more generally to strengthen protections for journalists.
Sarksyan has signed into law a blueprint adopted by the national parliament last month which regulates the introduction of digital television and radio in Armenia.
Under the law, the Armenian capital Yerevan would have 18 digital television channels and 12 radio stations, while other regionsjust nine television channels and 4 radio stations.
Opponents at home and media experts of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have warned the new law could put serious curbs on pluralism in the Caucasus nation.
They say the law seriously cuts the number of channels which are currently broadcast. Yerevan alone currently has more than 20 television channels.
Critics also point to sometimes murky rules for obtaining licenses for mobile telecoms, satellite and Internet links.
Reporting by Arshad Mohammed Additional reporting by Hasmik Mkrtchyan Editing by Matthew Jones source
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