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OSCE Office condemns closure of private TV broadcaster in Azerbaijan

24 November 2006 15:35 (UTC +04:00)

The OSCE Office today expressed concern and surprise at todayâ€™s closure of Azerbaijanâ€™s first private TV and radio broadcaster, ANS, the office told the APA. The National TV and Radio Council (NTRC) of Azerbaijan today adopted a decision not to extend the licence for ANS TV and ANS Ch.M radio. The Council said it based its decision on â€œthe regular violation of the provisions of the legislation, disregarding regular official warnings and fine sanctions made by the TV and Radio Council and demonstrating an insincere attitude towards comments and warnings given by the Council about infractions.â€? Ambassador Maurizio Pavesi, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku said: â€œWe are deeply concerned about the closure of a private television and radio broadcaster, which has always been considered by international observers as the most objective in the country â€“ as has clearly been indicated also in the OSCE Election Observation Reports.
"Iâ€™m perplexed as to why the decision, which was issued in the absence of any definitive reasoning, should come into force immediately. The usual recourse to appeal seems to have been overlooked,â€? he added.
ANS TV and ANS Ch.M radio stopped broadcasting at 3 p.m. today. The NTRC, in its decision, also terminated the companyâ€™s satellite transmissions. ANS TV and Radio had been waiting for the renewal of its licence since 2003.
It should be noted that the broadcasting of ANS TV and ANS Ch.M radio was stopped at 15.00on November 24, 2006. /APA/