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Watchdog

Council Of Europe Slams Azerbaijan Over Foreign-Broadcast Ban

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January 15, 2009

The Council of Europe today criticized as "highly regrettable" the decision by Azerbaijan to ban international radio stations from broadcasting on national frequencies.

The ban, which came into effect, ended radio broadcasts by the BBC, Voice of America, and RFE/RL's Azeri-language service, Radio Azadliq.

"When it acceded to the Council of Europe in 2001, Azerbaijan undertook to guarantee the freedom of expression and independence of the media, which are essential preconditions for the functioning of a democratic society," reads a statement signed by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and Lluis Maria De Puig, the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The statement urges Baku to reconsider its decision, which it says "cannot but create obstacles to pluralism of information in this country to the detriment of the interests of the Azerbaijani population."

Tags: rfe/rl , council , Europe , of , Azerbaijan

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by: Dennis Junior
January 16, 2009 20:13
I am in complete agreement with the Council of Europe slamming Azerbaijan over the 'broadcast ban of Foreign media sources...'
by: Larry Scott from: Dubai
January 19, 2009 03:54
As a recent visitor to Baku, I would like to express few thoughts:
1. Al-Jazeera is banned in US. I wish I could highlight the word "banned". Similarly, EU would not allow foreign broadcasters.
2. I think Radio Liberty should be more selective in naming its articles.

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