US congressional body appeals to Aliyev over radio broadcasts
The US congressional Helsinki Commission (Commission
on Security and Cooperation in Europe) has forwarded a letter to
President Ilham Aliyev expressing concern over the planned halt of
radio broadcasts of western radio stations in Azerbaijan.
The commission referred to recent statements by Nushiravan Maharramli, head of the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC), whereby he warned that broadcasts of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA) on local radio frequencies would be terminated in 2009.
The NTRC chairman had said it would only be possible to listen to VoA, Radio Liberty and BBC on satellite, cable or internet networks next year. According to the Commission, Maharramli justified this step by pointing to a 2002 law which restricts such frequencies to Azerbaijani broadcasters.
"As you know, RFE/RL and VOA are Congressionally-funded. Azerbaijan s many daily listeners rely on these programs for up-to-date, objective information. Moreover, as Azerbaijan moves increasingly toward integration with the West, RFE/RL and VOA supply a model of media professionalism, as well as the sort of impartial and innovative programming Azerbaijan`s citizens need to remain informed, engaged and competitive."
The Commission said further that in its understanding, far fewer Azerbaijanis have access to internet and satellite than to FM radio. Should RFE/RL and VOA broadcasts cease on FM, millions of Azerbaijanis will no longer be able to receive these programs. "We strongly believe that would be a great loss for them. Instead of closing down FM broadcasts of RFE/RL and VOA, we would like to see Azerbaijan developing a more diverse, pluralistic media environment."
Further, the Commission said that as President Aliyev begins his second term and prepares to establish good working relations with President-elect Barack Obama, with the goal of strengthening US-Azerbaijani relations, it believes it would send "exactly the wrong signal" to terminate FM broadcasts of RFE/RL and VOA in Azerbaijan.
"RFE/RL and VOA are invaluable to the achievement of your stated goal to build a modern, competitive and prosperous country. We hope that you will find a way for these broadcasts to continue on local frequencies, as they have done for many years."
The letter was co-signed by the Helsinki Commission chair, Alcee Hastings, co-chairman, Democratic Senator Benjamin Cardin, and Congressman Cristopher Smith.
The commission referred to recent statements by Nushiravan Maharramli, head of the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC), whereby he warned that broadcasts of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA) on local radio frequencies would be terminated in 2009.
The NTRC chairman had said it would only be possible to listen to VoA, Radio Liberty and BBC on satellite, cable or internet networks next year. According to the Commission, Maharramli justified this step by pointing to a 2002 law which restricts such frequencies to Azerbaijani broadcasters.
"As you know, RFE/RL and VOA are Congressionally-funded. Azerbaijan s many daily listeners rely on these programs for up-to-date, objective information. Moreover, as Azerbaijan moves increasingly toward integration with the West, RFE/RL and VOA supply a model of media professionalism, as well as the sort of impartial and innovative programming Azerbaijan`s citizens need to remain informed, engaged and competitive."
The Commission said further that in its understanding, far fewer Azerbaijanis have access to internet and satellite than to FM radio. Should RFE/RL and VOA broadcasts cease on FM, millions of Azerbaijanis will no longer be able to receive these programs. "We strongly believe that would be a great loss for them. Instead of closing down FM broadcasts of RFE/RL and VOA, we would like to see Azerbaijan developing a more diverse, pluralistic media environment."
Further, the Commission said that as President Aliyev begins his second term and prepares to establish good working relations with President-elect Barack Obama, with the goal of strengthening US-Azerbaijani relations, it believes it would send "exactly the wrong signal" to terminate FM broadcasts of RFE/RL and VOA in Azerbaijan.
"RFE/RL and VOA are invaluable to the achievement of your stated goal to build a modern, competitive and prosperous country. We hope that you will find a way for these broadcasts to continue on local frequencies, as they have done for many years."
The letter was co-signed by the Helsinki Commission chair, Alcee Hastings, co-chairman, Democratic Senator Benjamin Cardin, and Congressman Cristopher Smith.
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