Baku to back decision on foreign radio broadcasts
The Azerbaijani broadcasting regulator`s position on
the airing of foreign radio stations in the country is based upon
the national broadcasting law, a senior official has said.
The National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) plans to take foreign radio broadcasters of the air in 2009, saying their broadcasts on national airwaves are not in line with Azerbaijan`s laws. The NTRC chairman, Nushiravan Maharramli, announced on October 31 that it would only be possible to listen to Voice of America, Radio Liberty and the BBC on satellite, cable or Internet networks next year.
Ali Hasanov, head of the President`s Office socio-political department, told the press that Azerbaijan, which is preparing to join the convention on trans-national cross-border television, should, by all means at its disposal, enforce its Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting and bring it into full compliance with widely-accepted international standards.
Hasanov noted that the Azerbaijani government could not stop the activity of foreign radio stations.
"We have no intention to do so. We do not own these radio stations -- they are owned by Britain`s BBC Corporation and the US broadcasting association. We may simply work to bring their operation into line with existing world practices. Just the way these radio stations are aired in all other countries, this can be applied in Azerbaijan."
Hasanov expressed hope that a decision on further airing of foreign radio stations in the country, to be passed by the NTRC, would promote application of the domestic broadcasting law and foreign broadcasts complying with the Council of Europe requirements.
The NTRC is due to pass a decision on foreign radio broadcasts on Tuesday.
The National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) plans to take foreign radio broadcasters of the air in 2009, saying their broadcasts on national airwaves are not in line with Azerbaijan`s laws. The NTRC chairman, Nushiravan Maharramli, announced on October 31 that it would only be possible to listen to Voice of America, Radio Liberty and the BBC on satellite, cable or Internet networks next year.
Ali Hasanov, head of the President`s Office socio-political department, told the press that Azerbaijan, which is preparing to join the convention on trans-national cross-border television, should, by all means at its disposal, enforce its Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting and bring it into full compliance with widely-accepted international standards.
Hasanov noted that the Azerbaijani government could not stop the activity of foreign radio stations.
"We have no intention to do so. We do not own these radio stations -- they are owned by Britain`s BBC Corporation and the US broadcasting association. We may simply work to bring their operation into line with existing world practices. Just the way these radio stations are aired in all other countries, this can be applied in Azerbaijan."
Hasanov expressed hope that a decision on further airing of foreign radio stations in the country, to be passed by the NTRC, would promote application of the domestic broadcasting law and foreign broadcasts complying with the Council of Europe requirements.
The NTRC is due to pass a decision on foreign radio broadcasts on Tuesday.
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