President defends halt of foreign radio broadcasts
President Ilham Aliyev has said the recent
withdrawal of foreign radio stations from FM frequencies in
Azerbaijan is legal under Azerbaijani law.
"The decision of the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) was passed in accord with the law adopted in 2002 that prohibits broadcasts of foreign radios on national frequencies. Hence, this is not a ban," he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
Radio Liberty, Voice of America and the BBC were removed from the nation`s airwaves on January 1, as Azerbaijan`s laws stipulate that FM frequencies are reserved for national broadcasts. Some international groups claimed the NTRC`s decision had no regard for media pluralism.
Aliyev emphasized that the three radio stations could continue airing on short-wave frequencies and broadcast their programs on satellite, cable or the Internet.
"It is possible that a misunderstanding has emerged in the international media about our allegedly banning them. But we did not impose a ban, we simply brought [the broadcasts] into compliance with our legislation.
"We have studied the situation in Europe, and it`s the same there. We are not restricting the activity of the media in Azerbaijan, simply, they have to comply with national laws and the norms existing in Europe."
"The decision of the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) was passed in accord with the law adopted in 2002 that prohibits broadcasts of foreign radios on national frequencies. Hence, this is not a ban," he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
Radio Liberty, Voice of America and the BBC were removed from the nation`s airwaves on January 1, as Azerbaijan`s laws stipulate that FM frequencies are reserved for national broadcasts. Some international groups claimed the NTRC`s decision had no regard for media pluralism.
Aliyev emphasized that the three radio stations could continue airing on short-wave frequencies and broadcast their programs on satellite, cable or the Internet.
"It is possible that a misunderstanding has emerged in the international media about our allegedly banning them. But we did not impose a ban, we simply brought [the broadcasts] into compliance with our legislation.
"We have studied the situation in Europe, and it`s the same there. We are not restricting the activity of the media in Azerbaijan, simply, they have to comply with national laws and the norms existing in Europe."
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