International organizations call Azerbaijani authorities to open ANS TV channel

The "Aigun-TV" channel, which is covering the Zagatalskiy District of Azerbaijan, was not allowed to extend its broadcasting license. Mr. Nushiravan Magerramli, chairman of the National Television and Radio Board (NTRB), told journalists about it. He has reported about multiple violations of the law in the operation of the "Aigun TV" and could not exclude this development of the events.

In his turn, Ilkham Aliev, president of Azerbaijan, gave his comments on the situation around mass media. He said, in his interview to the AZTV state-run TV channel that the "Azadlyg" newspaper was provided "a still better place and fine conditions at the "Azerbaijan" Publishers, therefore, there is no sense politicizing technical matters."

As to the fate of the ANS TV channel, Mr. Aliev stated that he had always helped the channel, and the ANS leaders may confirm it. "However, the law is same for everybody, and nobody should be beyond the law, including the owners of mass media and TV channels," Ilkham Aliev added.

Meanwhile, Ms. Ann Ders, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, has again called the authorities of Azerbaijan to revise their decision to stop the ANS TV channel.

In view of the obligations taken by Azerbaijan on ensuring the freedom of speech and democracy before the Council of Europe (CE) and the OSCE, these and other international bodies are calling Baku to revise its decisions in relation to mass media. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will also discuss the issue of stopping the ANS TV channel and ANS CM radio station.