Foreign radio stations to be taken off air next year
Foreign radio stations will be removed from Azerbaijani airwaves in
2009, the country`s broadcasting regulator has said.
Nushiravan Maharramli, chairman of the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC), said it would only be possible to listen to VoA, Radio Liberty and BBC on satellite, cable or internet networks next year. "Azerbaijan`s radio frequencies are only intended for national broadcasts. This is in line with our international experience," he said and added that a final decision would be made in December.
Maharramli did not rule out that the authorization of foreign radio stations would be extended for another year. He insisted, however, that the measure would be only temporary and the broadcasters would not be allowed to continue operating afterwards.
The frequencies of foreign radio stations will be made available at auction to Azerbaijani owners next year.
According to Maharramli, broadcasts of Turkey`s TRT TV channel would also be ended in Azerbaijan next year. He said a year-long agreement had been signed with the channel, and the issue has to be reviewed again. "TRT will be taken off the air as well," he said.
US embassy spokesman Terry Davidson said, commenting on the issue, "We are not aware of an official decision yet, but we will request the Azerbaijani government provide an explanation of the move. Democratic societies need an open and diverse media environment. Radio Liberty, Voice of America and BBC radio broadcasts are contributing a lot to the development of public debate.
The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based press freedom organization, has disapproved of the planned halt of radio broadcasts.
"The disappearance of these foreign broadcasters from local airwaves robs Azerbaijanis of an important forum for independent news, views and debate," it claimed.
Another press freedom organization, Reporters Without Borders, has forwarded a letter to President Ilham Aliyev requesting his interference with the intended discontinuation of foreign radio broadcasts by the NTRC.
Nushiravan Maharramli, chairman of the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC), said it would only be possible to listen to VoA, Radio Liberty and BBC on satellite, cable or internet networks next year. "Azerbaijan`s radio frequencies are only intended for national broadcasts. This is in line with our international experience," he said and added that a final decision would be made in December.
Maharramli did not rule out that the authorization of foreign radio stations would be extended for another year. He insisted, however, that the measure would be only temporary and the broadcasters would not be allowed to continue operating afterwards.
The frequencies of foreign radio stations will be made available at auction to Azerbaijani owners next year.
According to Maharramli, broadcasts of Turkey`s TRT TV channel would also be ended in Azerbaijan next year. He said a year-long agreement had been signed with the channel, and the issue has to be reviewed again. "TRT will be taken off the air as well," he said.
US embassy spokesman Terry Davidson said, commenting on the issue, "We are not aware of an official decision yet, but we will request the Azerbaijani government provide an explanation of the move. Democratic societies need an open and diverse media environment. Radio Liberty, Voice of America and BBC radio broadcasts are contributing a lot to the development of public debate.
The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based press freedom organization, has disapproved of the planned halt of radio broadcasts.
"The disappearance of these foreign broadcasters from local airwaves robs Azerbaijanis of an important forum for independent news, views and debate," it claimed.
Another press freedom organization, Reporters Without Borders, has forwarded a letter to President Ilham Aliyev requesting his interference with the intended discontinuation of foreign radio broadcasts by the NTRC.
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