State Supports FM Broadcasters

A briefing was held on National Press Day to discuss the implementation of the presidential decree on allocating financial resources for expanding Azerbaijan's broadcasting network.

The decree, issued on July 24, 2023, aims to ensure the broadcasting of national radio channel programs across the country by expanding the broadcasting network, providing state support mainly to private broadcasters, and enabling radio signal reception on the same frequency in certain areas using new technologies. This is expected to significantly enhance the accessibility of local radio programs for the population.

The briefing was attended by Elmir Velizade, Head of the Sector for Work and Relations with Non-Governmental Organizations of the Presidential Administration, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Samir Mammadov, Fazil Novruzov, Head of the Apparatus of the Broadcasting Council, representatives from the TeleRadio Production Association, the State Radio Frequency Management, and various media entities.

Speakers emphasized that the decree represents a significant contribution to the development of mass media and demonstrates serious state support for FM broadcasters.

It was noted that the modernization and expansion of the broadcasting network were conducted with international cooperation. Additionally, 127 new radio frequencies were allocated to 17 stations, with ongoing coordination with neighboring countries. Broadcasting equipment has been installed at most of the planned stations, and test transmissions have begun. Technical maintenance and repair work are currently underway.

Intensive efforts are also being made to establish the necessary infrastructure for uninterrupted power supply and to address other planned issues.

As a result of the decree's implementation, national radio programs currently received in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula will also be accessible in the regions. This will proportionally increase the number of local radio programs received in these areas compared to foreign FM broadcasts from neighboring countries.

Previously, FM broadcasts were mainly transmitted in the capital, limiting regional residents' access to national radio programs. The need arose to modernize FM broadcasting equipment and carry out separate repair and restoration work on the broadcasting infrastructure, Deputy Minister Samir Mammadov said.

He noted that sustainable power supply has become an important issue as some stations' power systems are outdated. "All these factors require a comprehensive solution to improve the quality and stability of the FM broadcasting network. The decree aims to address this issue by enhancing the broadcasting network and providing state support mainly to private broadcasters."

As part of this project, new technologies will be used. The radio data system being developed will allow automatic frequency adjustment when a moving vehicle transitions from one region to another, eliminating frequency changes and signal loss. Intensive work is ongoing to implement the decree, with equipment installed at most planned stations. Test broadcasts and preventive maintenance are currently being conducted, showing well-organized results. The work is expected to be completed in the coming months, with continued coordination of newly allocated frequencies with neighboring countries and on an international level.