AZERBAIJANI VERSION OF TV CHANNEL CLOSURE
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily
28/11/2006

National Council of Azerbaijani TV and Radio has taken a decision
to discontinue the activity of ANS TV and ANS CM radio station. The
situation reminds the story connected with Armenian A1+ TV when the
channel’s license was not prolonged putting an end to broadcast and
the process of issuing a new license was endlessly delayed.

According to Azeri-Press agency, the license of ANS TV and ANS CM radio
station was suspended after many warnings and sanctions. ANS TV does
not agree with such an argument for suspension and is going to appeal
the decision of the National Council of Azerbaijani TV and Radio.

Yet, before any court in the country has taken up the discussion of
this issue, technicians of the Telecommunications and Technologies
Ministry of Azerbaijan began dismantling broadcasting equipments
of the channel and the territory of the company was cordoned by the
police. Though the Council’s decision was to take effect at 3.00 pm
on Friday, the channel aired news at 15.20 pm that day.

Representatives of other mass media, political parties and
international structures have voiced concern over these actions of
the authorities.

So far the crackdown on oppositional media is what characterizes the
preparation for upcoming parliamentary elections.