False media policies should be completely abandoned

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Question: It was reported that the Accounting Chamber has been conducting inspections at the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Companies CJSC since April 26. During the audit, television published financial reports for the first time, and noted that the state television ended 2019 with a net loss of 2.598 million manat. How to understand this? Is it possible to assess the dissemination of the report in the press during this period by AzTV self-insurance, or can this step be regarded as pressure on the inspection bodies?

Answer: AzTV has always been a closed structure. Until now, this structure has only once disclosed some of the financial statements. The point is that this TV channel is financed from the state budget. AzTV is the media that receives the largest funds from the state budget. Annually, the amount of funds allocated from the state budget for this channel is measured in tens of millions. For 2021, this amount is about 35 million manat. The funds allocated by AzTV are at least one level higher than the funds allocated to Public Broadcasting According to our laws on information openness, AzTV must publish a report on how he spends these funds.

Every year, by the end of April, a detailed financial report should be posted on the AzTV website, and the public can familiarize with it; but they do not do it. Since the financial statements are not open, it is rather difficult to clarify how the funds are spent. If there is no accountability, if there is closeness, then something is wrong. If everything is in order, if the funds allocated from the budget are spent appropriately, why not to post a report on this in accordance with the legislation where everyone can see it?

-Why should state television, which has all the possibilities, and receives funds from the budget, but at the same time, has enough advertising revenues, work at a loss? Where are these funds going?

- I remember that 5-6 years ago there were journalistic investigations about how the funds spent by AzTV. The TV channel was asked to present financial data through information requests. The channel did not provide this information. As I mentioned above, it is not easy to find out the reasons for the losses, since the financial statements are not public. However, the TV receives large funds from the state budget; this is the largest media that attracts advertising. Losses on this background is nothing but a problem with management, funds are used ineffectively. Hopefully, the inspection authorities will reveal the details.

- If to discuss state television and the period in which it is headed by the young leader, how can we assess this? Is television activity satisfactory? Are there any noticeable differences from the previous periods?

In general, it is worth remembering that AzTV was not supposed to exist today. Azerbaijan has undertaken obligations to the Council of Europe in the field of media in connection with the denationalization of media. Fulfillment of these obligations was supposed to lead to the formation of free, multidimensional media in the country. Unfortunately, we cannot say that these commitments have been met. These commitments also included the transformation of AzTV into a Public Broadcaster. But the government did not do this, creating a separate broadcaster, and turned AzTV into a closed joint-stock company and held its shares in its hands. Since then, AzTV has continued to be the government's main advocate, as usual. Of course, it cannot be denied that there have been changes at AzTV in recent years. It cannot be argued that this channel has approached the principles of television and radio broadcasting. AzTV is an ordinary AzTV in terms of content. Perhaps it is of higher quality or lower quality than the government was promoting before. But the content and policy of the program remain unchanged. From the point of view of pluralism of opinions, AzTV's independence is where it was before.

 - By the way, the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) made a decision to license Lider TV. According to the decision, television and radio broadcasting of "Lider TV and Radio-Azerbaijan" LLC will cease from June 1. The Leader TV for many years pursued the policy of the authorities. And in this direction, it did not hesitate to constantly and in every possible way humiliate, even strike below the belt, insult alternatives to power. Even among the people, among journalists, for this activity it was called a "porn channel". And today the TV channel, which defends the authorities by means of harsh rhetoric, is being closed. Moreover, the channel was declared bankrupt. That is, instead of being rewarded, it closes. What does it mean? This TV channel is no longer needed, or have the authorities realized that it will be impossible to raise the authority of the TV channel, the public authority of which is below the plinth?

-  Recently, we observe changes in the government's media policy. The structure of media support is changing, a new media law is being drafted, and so on. Television and radio media in Azerbaijan is definitely under the complete control of the government, all radio and TV channels are controlled by the government. The political content policy of these media duplicates each other. The public, one might say, does not track them, more and more they watch Russian-language and Turkish-language channels. There is also a growing trend for online media. Perhaps the government wants to get rid of additional costs, or, against their background, redirect these funds to online media, which more effectively influence public opinion. I do not think that the public is losing anything due to the closure of some channel, which is under the complete control of the government.

 - Along with Lider TV, three more TV channels have been closed. You know that opening a TV channel in Azerbaijan is not an easy task. In Azerbaijan, sufficient funds are allocated for civil media, including all TV channels. AzTV, ITV use the state budget and receive advertising. Other private TV channels are allocated funds, advertising. However, it is reported that AzTV is operating at a loss, one large TV channel has been declared bankrupt, closed, the financial position of Space TV channel is in a deplorable state, and employees cannot receive salaries for months. These TV channels are opened with the consent of the authorities, and each of them is uniquely connected with the authorities, supporting the policy of the authorities. For this reason, it is the authorities or persons in high positions who stand behind them. Since business, as well as the advertising market are monopolized, the allocation of advertising to independent media is not allowed, and the entire advertising market is distributed among the media in the hands of the authorities for their survival and development. A person in a high position in power, who opens a TV channel, uses the opportunities and advantage available to him to force people in the business environment to advertise these media outlets, even directing advertising of his illegal business to these media outlets. Again, we are witnessing that these TV channels are being closed or are threatened with closure. What is the reason? Are they unable to gather viewership or do they have a shortage of professional specialists?

- The main reason is the absence of   media freedom in Azerbaijan. The media should not be controlled. There are Azerbaijani channels in the Internet media that create 2-3 people, they are watched by more people than the TV channels that the government decided to close, and their news is trusted more. Why? Because they are free. They prefer impartial information rather than a framework set by the authorities. The non-free media will eventually disappear, and no one will remember them, be it online media or TV and radio media. If they do not have freedom, sooner or later they will have the fate of closed TV channels.

Attention should be paid to one issue: in general, the number of TV channels in Azerbaijan is quite small compared to other countries. The broadcasting area is paid, closed for people with disabilities. These are also the main problems, the solution of which should be the focus of attention.

-Why does not Azerbaijan have independent television? Why is the advertising market monopolized? Why is not the opportunity created? What are the authorities afraid of?

• This is what the government wants. There are enough media professionals and journalists in Azerbaijan. Why don't they want an independent, free media? Of course they do. However, there are no conditions for this. To have broadcast media, you must obtain a broadcast frequency, which is issued by the government. The government only gives frequency to those under its control. Independent media need funding. The way to raise funds is the presence of an advertising market, access to it. Advertising is provided by business. The advertising business in Azerbaijan is heavily dependent on the government. In short, the situation is very difficult. This is due to wrong media policies that have been pursued for decades. It is difficult to change the situation in a short time.

-What do you suggest? What steps should be ensure normal work of television channels in Azerbaijan, in accordance with television standards?

-The misleading media policies that have been pursued for decades should be completely abandoned. With such a policy based on the immediate control or elimination of media that influence public opinion, it is impossible to have a credible media outlet. If the topic is TV and radio media, then the main issue should be providing access to frequencies. Equal opportunity should be given to all in relation to access to frequencies. There is some legislation on the regulation of television and radio broadcasting. The main condition is that the laws must work. Most importantly, if the target is the media that influences public opinion, provides accurate information and adheres to basic principles, the government should refrain from all steps that pose a risk to media freedom.