Activity of foreign radio stations may be suspended in Azerbaijan

The National Council on TV and Radio (NCTVR) of Azerbaijan has adopted a decision to the effect that radio stations "Freedom", BBC and "Voice of America" and TV station "Voice of America" are re-broadcast by certain broadcasters in Azerbaijan without appropriate contracts, which is illegal. In particular, foreign TV and radio companies have no licenses for broadcasting on the Azeri frequencies although, in conformance with the national legislation, TV and radio broadcasting is an activity which is subject to licensing.

Taking this into account, the NCTVR has requested that re-broadcasting of the said foreign electronic media by the state radio of Azerbaijan, radio stations "Antenn" and ANS CM, as well as by the ANS TV channel, should be stopped from January 1, 2007.

Radio stations "Freedom", BBC and "Voice of America" and the TV station "Voice of America" have been recommended to settle the issue of broadcasting on the Azeri frequencies in conformance with international norms and the legislation of Azerbaijan.

If the said foreign TV and radio channels fail to undertake appropriate measures for legitimate broadcasting in Azerbaijan before January 1, 2007, their broadcasting will be stopped, runs the NCTVR press-release.