Nushiravan Maharramli: Restrictions on Foreign TV Channels during Presidential Elections

We intend to provide 100% broadcast on national TV channels in the territory of Azerbaijan, said Nushiravan Maharramli, the Head of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company during his interview with the Objective TV (obyektiv.tv).

In addition, the entire population of the country should have access to digital broadcasting, and all its prerequisites. Appeals have been sent to the President’s Administrations, the parliament, the Ministry of Communications and other departments on this important issue. All departments, except for the Ministry of Finance, agreed, setting the price "of the question” at only five or six AZN each for the purchase of a decoder to 130,000 poor families.

Maharramli recommends funds should be allocated to local enterprises for the production of these decoders. Then they will cost less than 20-30 manat.  New jobs will also be available.

The transition to digital broadcasting will improve the quality, with audiences seeing it right away. In addition, additional services will be possible, including advertising, trade services, a traffic table and other information. Viewers themselves can order these programs, because the number of frequencies will increase. 

The principle of work in analog broadcasting is "one frequency - one channel," but the transition to digital broadcasting will make it possible to broadcast up  to 12 channels on the same frequency. The public will also be able to enjoy free package of broadcast services. The minimum package will include 10 channels, 9 national and the Turkish TRT-1 channel. Citizens of the capital will have free access to regional television.  There will be paid services too.  A network of cable operators are to work on it. 

Maharramli believes nine national broadcasters are enough for Azerbaijan. Maharramli is referring to the ethics and rules of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company who do not have enough leverage to punish offenders of "national and spiritual values."

On the eve of the presidential election in 2013, local TV stations will not be restricted on their rights to broadcast, there will be regulations introduced for international and foreign TV companies. These are dictated requirements for political stability and do not constitute discrimination. During Eurovision 2012, and world sports tournaments, any broadcasting TV channel received permission from the National Council for broadcasting, Maharramli said. --17D—