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Broadcast of Foreign Radio Stations in Azerbaijan will Depend on Intergovernmental Agreements

Politics Materials 3 December 2008 12:43 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 December / Trend corr R. Novruzov/ National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Azerbaijan (NRTBC) says broadcast of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan will depend on intergovernmental agreements.

The broadcast of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan will depend on intergovernmental agreements, member of NRTBC Gafar Jabiyev, said.

NTRBC chairman Nushiravan Maharramli announced last month that broadcast of foreign radio station including Voice of America, Radio Liberty and BBC in Azerbaijan will be suspended by the end of 2008.

"By the end of the year foreign radio stations will be deprived of frequencies on which they broadcast in Azerbaijan. Foreign radio stations can broadcast through satellite, internet and cable network," Maharramli said.

The Council can extend the term of license of foreign radio station only in case agreement is reached with the countries which own these radio stations including Voice of America, Radio Liberty and BBC, Jabiyev said.

The Council informed representatives of the radio broadcasting department of the US of its position at the meeting held on 3 December. Under Azerbaijan's laws, foreign physical persons and legal entities can not take part in competitions announced for frequencies, he said.

The Council has not yet adopted a final decision to grant new license to these radio stations or to extend term of license. The decision is expected to be made at the end of the year, he added.

Many international organizations including OSCE, the Council of Europe have criticized shut-down of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan and asked authorities to avoid it.

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