OSCE Office presents report on Azerbaijan's public broadcaster

BAKU, 20 November 2006 - An assessment report on Azerbaijan's Public Television (PTV) development needs, commissioned by the OSCE Office in Baku, was presented to the broadcaster's management today.

The report analyzes the PTV's editorial policy, programming, technical infrastructure as well as the role of the Broadcasting Council. It also contains recommendations on how to address the station's shortcomings.

"This report reaffirms the importance that OSCE places on public broadcasting as an essential tool for Azerbaijan's democratic development," said Ambassador Maurizio Pavesi, Head of the OSCE Office.

"I hope it will help the broadcaster become a professional provider of accurate and balanced information to the public, and that the recommendations will serve as a basis for a continued co-operation between our Office and PTV."

The report was prepared by three professionals working for the British Broadcasting Corporation. After interviewing PTV staff and meeting local media experts, they devised a long-term training and support programme for the station. They also analyzed the media environment in Azerbaijan in order to get a sense of the broadcaster's competitive challenges.