ARTICLE 19, the London-based Global Campaign for Freedom of Expression, calls upon the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that its implementation of the Law on Public broadcasing adopted November 5 2004 is “in line with both global standards and Azerbaijan´s international obligations” including accessibility to all citizens, diversity of programmes and themes, as wellas editorial and operational independence. (15 NOV 2004)
The statement of ARTICLE 19 reads, the Presidential Decree on the establishing of the Public Television would be based on only one of Azerbaijan´s state television channels. “If enacted, this would have serious implications for the independence of public service broadcasting. We are therefore deeply concerned by the authorities attempts to hinder positive reforms aimed at transforming the national television into a public service broadcaster”, reads the document.
Appeal
ARTICLE 19 calls upon the Azerbaijani authorities to:
– Create a public service television based on both existing state television channels;
– Undertake all necessary steps to ensure that the public service broadcaster has a complete editorial independence to fulfil its public function of informing the public about issues of public interest and to provide balanced and objective news coverage.
– Abstain from interfering in operational matters of a public service broadcaster.
