New media and social networks are main sources of information

A conference: "The future of broadcasting  media in Azerbaijan." took  place today in the Park Inn.  The forum, organized by the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) supported by International Media Support (IMS), discusses the diversity and pluralism of the media, the state and prospects of development of the traditional media and the Internet. There were also discussions on the program "Changes in broadcast debates about pluralism in the broadcast media of Azerbaijan" (supported by the OSCE Baku office), "The development of new media and their distribution in the regions" (supported by the EU); “Improving the professionalism and independence of the media in Azerbaijan, the diversity of information” (IMS).

The discussions were attended by representatives of international organizations, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Public TV, on-line television and radio structures, media organizations and experts.

"The OSCE believes that a strong state should  have free media. Today, new media  is  accompanied by traditional media, and plays an important role in providing  society with alternative information," said Nicholas Doetsch, the head of  the Democracy Office of  the OSCE Baku Office.

Director of regional programs of the IMS, Gulnara Akhundova, focused attention on the lack of independent TV channels in Azerbaijan, and not following the  law on broadcasting.

"For this reason  new media plays  a great role in providing alternative information society play an important role new media. For this reason, IMS supports the online radio project  "Voice of Youth", said Akhundova.

It was also  noted that there are problems in getting frequencies for broadcasting in Azerbaijan.  The Director of the IRFS Emin Huseynov, pointed out the problems with the licensing of television frequencies.

"In a number of countries after the transition to digital broadcasting licensing procedure is canceled. The government of Azerbaijan declared the adequacy of the current number of channels, and does not want to grant new frequencies. Who determines the adequacy of  TV channels - the government or the market?",  he said.

A representative of the Ministry of Communications, Isa Mammadov, said that currently 30 stations of digital broadcast covering 80% of the country, have been installed. To receive digital broadcasting 130,000 poor families will receive  decoders free of charge,  he said.

The experts also noted that the TV channels are under political influence, and do not reflect the interests of the whole society. "In the last few years have been announced tenders for the four frequencies, and they were all given channels,  which are under political control. Existing channels do not reflect the interests of society. The market should see the new players.

Objective information  is provided by new media and social networks. Then what is the public benefit of 60 million manat allocated by the state broadcasters?" said Alasgar Mammadli, media expert  of the American organization IREX. Director of Media Rights Institute, Rashid Hajili, also noted the need to eliminate the monopoly  in the broadcasting space.

"The frequencies have been concentrated in the same hands.  There is not  FM radio in regions. They prevent the emergence of new broadcasters. There is no competition on the content of TV programs," he said.

The activity of the state AzTV was particularly criticized; the TV channels is funded by four times more  that than public television "Obektiv TV" and "Yurd TV" as well as the radio "Voice of Youth" told about the growing number of spectators and listeners.

During the discussions, the importance of the transition to digital broadcasting, high-speed Internet  in  the regions,  tender for new frequencies, creating an atmosphere of free market competition. -- 03C --