Azerbaijan may ban TV channels that broadcast “anti-Azerbaijani” programmes

The National Broadcasting Council of Azerbaijan may prohibit cable broadcasting of foreign television channels that prepares programmes against the country. “We will ban cable broadcasting of Euronews and other foreign television channels in Azerbaijan should they continue preparing programmes against our country, Chairman of the National Council Nushirevan Maharramli told Trend News today.

On 28 November, Euronews broadcast a report “Nagorno-Karabakh - wind of change” by Michael Raikhman, which the government claims was very biased and one-sidedly interpreted events in the Karabakh war. The press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the ruling New Azerbaijan Party sent letters of protest to the management of the TV channel with regards to the report.

The chairman said the council holds a unilateral position on Euronews which considers itself as objective. “Above all, such actions do not bring respect to the channel. So, we should act within the legal framework,” he added. He said the foreign television channels are broadcast in the country’s territory via cable, Internet or satellite. “However, we could take some measures against the channels broadcast via cable. If any foreign television channel continues broadcasting such biased programmes, we will demand their cessation,” he said.

(Source: Trend News)