Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 5 2009
Azerbaijan may cease foreign TV channels broadcasting anti-Azerbaijani
programs: broadcasting council chairman
05.12.2009 12:29
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 5 / Trend News A.Huseynbala /
The National Broadcasting Council of Azerbaijan may prohibit cable
broadcasting of foreign television channels that prepares programs
against the country.
We will ban cable broadcasting of Euronews and other foreign
television channels in Azerbaijan should they continue preparing
programs against our country, Chairman of the National Council
Nushirevan Maharramli told Trend News today.
On Nov. 28, Euronews broadcasted a report "Nagorno-Karabakh – wind of
change" by Michael Raikhman, which was very biased and one-sidedly
interpreted events in the Karabakh war. The press service of
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and ruling New Azerbaijan Party sent
letters to the management of the TV channel with regards to the
reportage.
"In the telecast "Nagorno-Karabakh – wind of change" on Nov. 28 on the
Euronews TV channel, was another attempt to confuse the world and
European public opinion through presenting reasons and essence of the
conflict in accordance with the position of the Armenian side," the
letter of protest said.
In this program Nagorno-Karabakh was presented as an "independent
country" and the head of the fictitious establishment Bako Saakian as
"president of this country". "In addition, Nagorno-Karabakh which was
recognized by all international documents and authoritative
international organizations as the territory of Azerbaijan and which
has no geographical link with Armenia, was described as the "heart" of
Armenia.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.
The chairman said the council holds a unilateral position on Euronews
which considers itself as objective.
"Above all, such actions do not bring respect to the channel. So, we
should act within the legal framework," he added.
He said the foreign television channels are broadcasted in the
country’s territory via the cable, internet or satellite.
"However, we could take some measures against the channels broadcasted
via cable. If any foreign television channel continues broadcasting
such biased programs, we will demand their cessation," he said.
Maharramli recalled that the legislation on televisions broadcasting
specifies the cases when broadcasting of foreign television channels
may be interrupted in the country.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
