Martuni or Bust
This is an absurd! I cannot believe Armenia's "FCC" does not regulate this!!!! 
Hasmik, I'm sorry to hear that you are upset with this, but there is even worse. H1, the government run television, had a movie last night again about a strip club and some guys that kept holding them up, robbing them and then getting off in every way. In this one you not only got to see topless women, but also a mans penis. To make things worse, the voice over was in ARMENIAN. And this is not a one time deal. Right now they have another film of the same type running. I will upload some pic's with their logo on it
There is a posting at http://www.bigsound.org/portnoy/...log/
001223.html which most of us can't read so I asked for a translation of, as it was linked to this post.
"I simply translated the post that mentioned your article on Global Voices Online. I added my opinion below, and here's the translation of my words:
"Public TV in Armenia is comparable with the Ramble TV(a recently banned erotic cable channel in Taiwan)!!!!Wow! That is a huge cultural difference between the two countries~~~"
The Public TV here in Taiwan is much more conservative than that in Amenia. And I agree with you: those kinds of programme should not be broadcasted on a country's PTV.
Posted by: Portnoy at 2005年11月08日 21:38"
I have noticed in the past that Shant TV shows such soft porn movies, particularly on the weekends, after midnight, so this is nothing new. Also I think Shant is a private TV station and is not public, but of course, this is no excuse for televising smut on regular broadcast TV (as opposed to satellite or "Super System".)
Hey Ara... 
Thank you for providing additional information. What do you think are the causes of this paradigm shift in the Armenian media?
I am not neccessarily against adult movies yet it has its time and place -- somewhat similer in the way it works in US with the Time, Place and Matter clause.
It is interesting how the person compares the Armenian TV Station with the station in Taiwan. Speaking of similar cultures, I was just recently watching a documentary on prostitution in Thailand and indeed, the cultures are strikingly different yet I can see one thing in common -- poverty, which is, unfortunately, one of the major incentives for women to sell their bodies.
I still cannot comprehend why is the government allowing promiscuous actions on its own sponsored station? Is this some kind of neo-liberal agenda? I just remembered how the government stopped "Hye Santa" fundraiser special sponsored by ArmeniaNow last Christmas. Wow, is this democracy?
I visited Venezuela three months ago for World Festival of Youth and Students and one night I was watching their TV Station. Only 2 out of many stations is owned by the government and the contents of both of those stations were emphasized on education, healthcare and positive growth. The populist president, Hugo Chavez has this show called "Alo Presidente"! where people call with their requests ranging from land reform to education, housing -- real issues addressed genuinely with care. Whereas almost all the other channels were full of propaganda against Chavez and his "Communist buddy Castro"....
How is the media controlled in Armenia? Is it predominatly private? public? As if it makes a difference. . . since the government is promoting such positive morals -- degrading women, making their lives even MORE dangerous on the steets... ah...
Sorry, but im wondering about nothing here anymore. You have not such a bad law here but everybody who is able to pay more than a average citizen earns per month is able to break the law tho ... with the permission of the government and their institutions. Furthermore i must say that those bars and clubs, like shown in the movie, are so poorly that it hurts to waste time there, in case of atmosphere and girls too!
But every month some new opens. Im wondering who of the officials is participating and making money with them. Look at the casinos, its the same crap! Look at the daily life ... sorry, but after 4 years here i only can say ... no quality nowhere! I hope once its getting better but as long the oligarchie is able to fool the voters and to put their staff at high positions nothing will change ... unfortunately, because Armenia is worth to get better things and a better future!
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