According to the Law on Broadcasting approved by the Parliament in 2019, citizens pay a monthly fee of 2,500 MNT to the Mongolian Television Association and its 18 member television channels through IPTV service providers. Considering that the provision of the law is not compatible with other laws and does not meet the requirements, citizens approached the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, but was refused to be discussed because it is a matter within the mandate of the Parliament. Journalist B.Purev made a statement to stop this fee.

He said, “Today, there are 243 media outlets with special broadcasting licenses in Mongolia. However, paying 2,500 MNT monthly to 18 television stations under the name of Mongolian Television Association is a direct attack on citizens’ right to know and freedom of choice. With the exception of the Mongolian National Broadcasting, 18 privately owned television stations are given advantage not given to others and placed in the first 19 IPTV channels. This is a violation of the Law on Monopoly and the Law on Fair Competition.” The journalist then said that despite complaints by the citizens to the Authority for Fair Competition and Consumer Protection, it is not taken seriously. The Ministry for Digital Development and Communications was planning to submit a Bill to change this law but nothing has been heard so we began a petition to stop this, mentions B.Purev.

B.Purev continued, “When the Law on Broadcasting was first adopted, it was promised to make content for children and national awareness, but instead of that, research showed that works that negatively affect children and young people are produced instead. To clarify this fee from IPTV, they explain ‘Television Association receives the fee’. But the Television Association says, ‘IPTVs make requirements’.” Clause 20.5.3 of the Law on Broadcasting states that “broadcasting television stations will receive a fee of at least 15 percent of the revenue of the basic set of television services”, and clause 20.6 of the law states that “Broadcasting television services shall be concentrated in the Television Association with mandatory membership.” “Despite this clear regulation, wrong information is given. IPTVs do not stipulate such fees in their contracts with citizens. Currently, 82 percent of 760,000 households pay the monthly fee. Last year, the Television Association distributed 28 billion MNT to its 18 member organizations. Behind these 18 TV stations are business owners with political interests. Political parties passed the Broadcasting Act to protect themselves. This should be changed” says the journalist, B.Purev. Therefore, B.Purev began a petition on parliament.mn to end this. As of February 17, the petition has 3,700 signatures and if 100,000 signatures are signed, a working group will be formed to make changes to this.