Azerbaijan, Baku/ Trend , corr. S. Aghayeva / Nushiravan Maharramli, the Chairman of the National TV and Radio Council, said that the National Council may take a decision on closing those TV channels which will not turn to the broadcasting in Azerbaijani by the end of 2007 .
He said that taking into consideration the material and technical base and other capabilities of the TV channels, time will be given to them till the end of the year. Within this period, the TV channels are to establish dubbing editorials. Movies, documentaries, cartoons, re broadcasting telecasts are to be broadcast only in Azerbaijani.
"Except "Ictimai TV" (ITV - Public TV), all other local TV channels were put on the air at least 5 years ago. They ought to solve the issue on dubbing during this time. This is disrespect to the Azerbaijani State and people. Up to now, we have made concessions to the TV channels in this issue. However, from now and on, we intend to take serious measures toward those TV channels which will not turn to Azerbaijani language by the end of the year. We may even take a decision on closure of such a channel . If not to take such administrative measures, then the legislation is not observed. Therefore, a final decision will be taken during the meeting of the National TV and radio Council to be held in the first decade of March, 2007,"said Mr. Maharramli.
The Chairman of the Council added that except news in English and Russia , all other broadcasts should be arranged or translated into Azerbaijani. Moreover, the news in the foreign languages, captions in Azerbaijani are to be broadcast.
According to Mr. Maharramli, the situation with dubbing in AzTV, Lider, ITV and ANS is normal. Space and ATV have requested to give them some time till the end of the year. "Our proposal lies in the fact that the dubbing editorial which is within the Culture and Tourism Ministry should assist regional channels. On the whole, all the channels should use services rendered by this editorial. We are not satisfied with the existing level of dubbing," said Mr. Maharramli.