30 December 2008, 18:00
Broadcasting of Western radio stations to be stopped in Azerbaijan
Broadcasting of the radio stations "Liberty", the "Voice of America" and the BBC on the local frequencies will be stopped from January 1, 2009. This decision has been taken today at the meeting of the National TV and Radio Council (NTRC) of Azerbaijan.
In particular, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the NTRC has adopted a decision not to extend the licenses of the above radio stations and to withdraw their frequencies.
The NTRC explains its decision to stop the broadcasting of the above radio stations by the provisions of the national legislation under which TV and radio companies of Azerbaijan alone may broadcast on local frequencies.
Simultaneously, the NTRC has adopted a decision to apply to court for withdrawing the license of the radio station "Europa Plus" for broadcasting in a language, other than the state language (Azeri) (except advertisements).
The NTRC has obliged all national TV and radio stations to broadcast in the national language alone, starting from 2009. Exceptions may only include the programs of educational character, subject to being accompanied by captions in the Azeri language.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
