OSCE roundtable discusses TV and radio licensing in Azerbaijan

BAKU, 12 April 2005 - The need to further develop the regulatory framework in TV and radio licensing, the authority of regulating bodies, and a guarantee of equal treatment of operators were discussed today at a roundtable organized by the OSCE Office in Baku.

Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, who is in Azerbaijan on an assessment visit, said private broadcasters were in need of clear-cut and non-discriminatory rules for the division of frequencies and for obtaining licences.

"The existing regulations for providing frequency and licences need to be clarified and then properly implemented," he said. "The granting of broadcast licences to private broadcasters should be done in a non-political and transparent manner in order to ensure true pluralism in society."

Ali Hasanov, Head of the Presidential Administration, said the Azerbaijani Government pays great attention to this issue: "We acknowledge the existence of certain gaps and difficulties in this area. And we hope that this event will help to identify the key obstacles and the best ways to meet the needs of the private broadcasters."

The event was designed to provide an opportunity for an in-depth discussion and exchange of opinions between experts and all actors involved in the process of granting licences and frequencies for Azerbaijani TV and radio broadcasting companies.

It was the first in a series of activities designed by the OSCE Office in Baku with the aim of addressing the most pressing issues in the media field in Azerbaijan.

Over 60 experts, representatives from national institutions of Azerbaijan, including the presidential administration, government ministries, non-governmental organizations, as well as international experts attended the event.