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U.S. wants to return Radio Liberty and VOA to airwaves

Society Materials 9 February 2009 18:21 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 9 / Trend , N.Abdullayeva /

Representatives of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will meet this week to discuss returning Radio Liberty and Voice of America (VOA) to the Azerbaijani airwaves, head of the Public Relations Department at the U.S. Embassy Terry Davidson told Trend on Feb. 9.

On Jan. 1, BBC, Radio Liberty and VOA stopped broadcasting on Azerbaijani national frequencies after a decision by the Azerbaijani National Television and Radio Council (ANTRC). The Law on Television Broadcasting says foreign stations can only broadcast on satellite, Internet and cable networks.

"We welcome the BBG's willingness to determine a legal framework within which Radio Liberty and VOA can broadcast their programs in the manner prior to the NRTC's decision," Davidson said.

The U.S. believes that Radio Liberty, VOA and the BBC play an important role in the democratic debate and free exchange of ideas in Azerbaijan.

The U.S. is committed to working with the Azerbaijani government as its works to strengthen its democratic institutions. The media is among the most important players in a healthy democracy, Davidson added.

Earlier the U.S. State Department, Council of Europe, OSCE Baku and other international organizations expressed concern about the decision to ban foreign radio stations from broadcasting on national frequencies and asked the council to reconsider its decision.

BBG representatives will meet Azerbaijani state officials and NRTC Chairman Nushirevan Maharramli.

Under a presidential decree, NRTC has been in charge of radio and television licensing since 2005.

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