Authorities in Azerbaijan say they plan to halt local broadcasts by foreign stations by the end of the year. The chairman of Azerbaijan’s National Television and Radio Council, Nushiravan Maharramli, says his country is not interested in granting local frequencies to foreign broadcasters. He says the change will affect the BBC, the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Liberty. The official says his country has been gradually implementing changes, having previously eliminated broadcasts by Russian, French and Turkish stations.
The US Broadcasting Board of Governors says it strongly objects to the proposal. BBG Board member Steven J Simmons, says the decision follows a “disturbing pattern” that began with harsh restrictions on private broadcasters within Azerbaijan two years ago and now directly impacts international media.
A spokesman for the US embassy in Baku, Terry Davidson, says it will be seeking clarification of the issue from the Azerbaijani government. He said in Azerbaijan that foreign broadcasters such as VOA, the BBC and Radio Liberty have contributed greatly to enriching the space for public debate and understanding.
(Sources: VOA News/AFP)
