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OSCE and CE welcome re-start of ANS

12 December 2006 14:04 (UTC +04:00)

OSCE Office in Baku head Robin Seaword said he welcomed the decision made by the TV and Radio Council, considering the public request.
He expressed hope that the decision doesnâ€™t demand any stipulation and the editorial staff of the broadcaster will not be changed.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, said that people enjoy the right to unbiased information about the developments in the country, region and the world.
â€œWe hope that the Council will take into account the public choice in bidding for ANSâ€™s frequency next year and ensure transparency and justice in the tender because ANS is Azerbaijanâ€™s most-watched independent TV Channelâ€? he said.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis also welcomed the decision, saying it is the only way to bring the legislation inline with the CE standards in order to ensure free and democratic media in Azerbaijan.
He said the CE is ready to help the Government improve the legislation so as to prevent such happenings in future. /APA/