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Nushiravan Maharramli: â€œWe should have halted transmission of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan six years agoâ€

04 November 2008 15:38 (UTC +04:00)

-When will the decision on stopping the transmission of foreign radios be passed?

-The meeting of the National Television and Radio Council will be held in the second half of December this year. The final decision about foreign radiosâ€™ transmission in Azerbaijan will be passed at that meeting. Various variants can be considered during the discussions. Extension of the term of transmission of foreign radio stations can also be discussed. But it does not depend on me alone. The council has other members. The issue will be discussed and solved. The matter is that no foreign television or radio channel can be transmitted in Azerbaijan. The law contains a special item that only Azerbaijani citizens can own television and radio channel. Now we are doing the work, which we had to do six years ago. According to the law on broadcasting, foreign television or radio stations can not be transmitted in Azerbaijan. we wanted to solve the issue by stages and did it. Now we have reached the last stage. If we prolong this term fir another year, it will be discussed again. It would be right to solve the problem once and for all.

-US Broadcasting Board of Governors, which is responsible for transmission of foreign radio stations abroad, said the National Television and Radio Council had not had discussions with them about halting the transmission of foreign radio stations. Besides, the Board of Governors asked Azerbaijani government to review its plans. Is the National Television and Radio Council going to discuss this issue with the Board of Governors?

-We can only give information to them about it, there is no need for discussions. We told them several times that this issue is temporary. Our legislation has its requirements and all procedures should be carried out in line with it. We are asked why we are solving this problem now. I admit that we should have halted foreign radio stations six years ago, when the law on broadcasting came into force. We are making a compromise, but you see some do not admit it. US Broadcasting Board of Governors can make any statement, but we are acting in line with the national legislation.

-What about the transmission of TRT? The Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies and Turkish Radio and Television Corporation signed an agreement to extend the transmission of TRT. But you said TRTâ€™s transmission would also be stopped in Azerbaijanâ€¦

-TRT is being transmitted basing on contract. According to the contract we will have discussions with the opposite side. Reviewing the contract will also take time. We will appeal to Foreign Ministry and ask to start discussions on reviewing the issue. We tell the opposite side if AzTV is transmitted on Turkeyâ€™s national frequency, we can continue the transmission. AzTV is being transmitted there through cable network. If Turkey does not agree to our proposal, we will also transmit TRT in Azerbaijan through cable network.

-Is it true that TRT Channel will be broadcasted in Azerbaijan for 10 years?

Letâ€™s not discuss the issue anymore.

-Why is AzTV not Public TV transmitted in Turkey? TRT is also public channel.

These issues will be debated in future.

-How many frequency resources does National Television and Radio Council have at present?

There are some frequencies, but it is not enough. Frequency resources have their own limit. If we pass to digital system, it will be easy for us in this field.

-How does NTRC control cable televisions?

Cable televisions function according to law. They extend cable network and every client signs a contract with them and watched retransmitted TV Channels. We have their list. All of them are under control.

-How many cable televisions function in Azerbaijan?

There are 12 cable televisions in Azerbaijan. 4-5 of them function indeed. We want cable televisions to cover all Azerbaijan and render qualitative service.

-Which changes will be in the filed of television and radio in New Year?

We want current rules in television and radio sphere to coincide with civil rules in the world. We want qualitative, educational programs to prevail over show programs.

-TV Channels do not observe the decision of NTRC on cancellation of broadcasting of films not dubbed...

We have allowed them in this issue late in 2008. There are such kind of programs that do not need to be dubbed. This issue will be solved after 2009. Several educational programs, visits of foreign Presidents, international conferences can be broadcasted live.

-Are you satisfied with the results of monitoring carried out in TV Channels?

We carried out monitoring on common principles, not separate details. There is not a serious breach of law. Several articles on advertisement and sponsor are violated.

-What is your stance on majority of entertainment programs in Azerbaijan?

We want minority of entertainment programs. But it occurred in the world show-business as big misfortune. All private Channels prefer entertainment programs to earn money. They cannot advertise while broadcasting of educational programs. We do not allocate money to TV Channels broadcasting show programs. There are a lot of men, who watch such kind of programs. The Council does not interfere in creative work of TV Channels.