Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 11 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
The U.S. has offered Azerbaijani radio stations the right to broadcast in the English language in the U.S. should Radio Liberty and Voice of America (VOA) resume broadcasting on national frequencies.
"The U.S. Broadcasting Council officials made a preliminary proposal to resume broadcasting Radio Liberty and VOA in Azerbaijan," U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ann Derse told journalists on Feb. 11. "Our officials have been discussing the issue since Feb. 10."
On Jan. 1, BBC, Radio Liberty and VOA ceased operations after the National Television and Radio Council banned the stations from broadcasting on national frequencies. The Law on Television Broadcast states that foreign stations can only broadcast on satellite, Internet and cable networks.
The proposal envisages resuming broadcasting based on an intergovernmental agreement. Azerbaijani radio stations will have the right to air their programs in the English language in U.S.
"The U.S. wants a constructive and positive solution to the issue and expects the Azerbaijani government to react to the proposal," Derse said.
The Azerbaijani government has agreed to review proposals that do not contradict national legislation on broadcasting, Presidential Administration Social and Political Department head Ali Hasanov told Trend on Feb. 10.
"The U.S. Broadcasting Association and British BBC officials want to resume broadcasting radio stations by other means," Hasanov said.
The U.S. State Department, Council of Europe, OSCE Baku and other international organizations expressed their concern about the decision to ban foreign radio stations from broadcasting on national frequencies, and asked the council to reconsider its decision.
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