U.S. Warily Eyes Armenia Media Restrictions

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Meeting with top Armenian officials, including President Serzh Sarksyan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced concern about a recently enacted media law that would restrict pluralism on televasion and radio outlets in the Caucasus country, according to a Reuters report.

Pursuant to the Armenian law, outlying regions would be limited to four radio stations and nine television stations, whereas Yerevan, Armenia's capital, would boast 18 digital tv stations and a dozen radio stations. Even the capital city would be affected by the new law, however, as the 18 digital tv stations pale compared to the more than 20 television channels previously available in Yerevan.

According to the Reuters account, Secretary Clinton  said Armenian officials told her they may amend the law in the fall.