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Week ending January 3, 2009

EU - Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP regrets the decision by the Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Council to stop broadcasting foreign radio stations - December 31, 2008

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), very much regrets the decision by the Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Council not to renew the broadcasting licence of foreign radio stations. The decision to stop broadcasting foreign radio stations on national frequencies as of 1 January will deprive listeners of a valuable alternative source of news and information.

The High Representative understands the legal constraints on which this decision is based but is convinced that the issue can still be resolved for the good of all concerned. He therefore encourages the Azerbaijani authorities to reconsider their plan to shut down the broadcasting frequencies of the BBC, Radio Liberty and Voice of America.

If implemented, this decision will impede the development of freedom of expression and of pluralism of the media in Azerbaijan.

The European Union stands ready to further discuss the legal conditions under which these radio and TV broadcast services can be maintained and to support Azerbaijan in strengthening the development of democratic institutions in the country.

OSCE - Azerbaijan's ban on foreign FM radio broadcasting is serious step backwards - December 30, 2008

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, criticized Azerbaijan's decision today to bar foreign broadcasters from FM radio frequencies as a serious step backwards for democracy, and urged Baku to reconsider.

Azerbaijan's National Council on Television and Radio announced today that as of 1 January it would not renew FM licences for broadcasters including the BBC, Radio Liberty and Voice of America. The Council has said the broadcasters should instead use the Internet, satellite radio or shortwave transmissions.

"Opening borders to a free flow of information is one of the oldest Helsinki commitments regarding human rights, pledged by the participating States more than 30 years ago," said Haraszti. "Closing down FM news radio broadcasts that were among the few remaining sources of varied, public-service quality information is a serious step backwards for an OSCE democracy."

He said the alternatives to FM radio frequencies suggested by the Council's Chairman, Nushiravan Maharramli, were unacceptable.

"Internet usage in Azerbaijan is low, the expansion of satellite radio is unrealistic and shortwave radio is unable to provide modern-day reception quality," Haraszti said. "I hope the Azerbaijani authorities will soon review their decision in favour of audience access to information."

Haraszti noted he had written on 5 November to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to express concern and to urge the authorities to renew the foreign broadcasters' licences.

Azerbaijan Shuts Down RFE/RL, VOA, BBC - December 30, 2008
from Julian Knapp/RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President Jeffrey Gedmin called today's decision by the government of Azerbaijan to take foreign broadcasters off the air "a sad day for the Azeri people, who will now find themselves without access to free and independent media." The OSCE calls the move a "serious step backwards" for Azerbaijan and the US State Department says the decision "retards democratic reform in Azerbaijan."

In Baku today, the Azeri National TV-Radio Council formally ruled to ban all international broadcasters, including RFE/RL, VOA, and BBC, from the airwaves effective January 1. The move essentially guarantees a monopoly for state-controlled media and prevents any independent news broadcasts from reaching the Azeri people.

Gedmin rejected Azerbaijan's suggestion that RFE/RL can broadcast effectively on alternatives to FM frequencies such as Internet radio or shortwave. "Losing our FM frequency means losing 90% of our audience," he said. "Nevertheless, we will find ways to reach our listeners. Our mission of bringing uncensored news and information to the Azeri people is now more important than ever."

Since the announcement two months ago that authorities were considering this move, Azeri advocates of press freedom have joined the US, EU, OSCE, and international media watchdog groups in condemnation of the regime's efforts at stopping the free exchange of information in Azerbaijan.

EBU signs four year distribution agreement with Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for New Year’s Concert - December 29, 2008
from Michelle Roverelli/EBU

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU)* is pleased to announce signing a four year distribution agreement for the TV and radio broadcast rights with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for a package of three classical concerts.

The first concert to be broadcast is the internationally popular New Year’s Day concert from the Musikverein concert hall, Vienna. It is the most watched annual classical music concert on TV. The second concert is the annual Schönbrunn concert at the Schlosspark Schönbrunn, Vienna. The third concert will be a special concert presented from different international locations yearly. The New Year’s concert and the Schönbrunn concerts are being produced by the Austrian public broadcaster, ORF.

“The EBU is delighted to have secured this exclusive package for its Members, and to be associated with such prestigious global musical events, said the EBU Director General, Jean Réveillon.

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra worked closely with the EBU to produce a new high quality recording of the instantly recognizable Eurovision signature tune, Te Deum, by Marc Antoine Charpentier, which will signal the beginning of the New Year’s concert.

The concert will be broadcast by 42 EBU Member broadcasters including: Albania (RTSH), Andorra (RTVA), Azerbaijan (ITV), Belgium (RTBF & VRT), Bosnia Herzegovina (BHRT), Bulgaria (BNT), Croatia (HRT), Cyprus (CYBC), Denmark (DR), Egypt (ERTU), Estonia (ERR), Finland (YLE), France (FR2), Georgia (GTVR), Germany (ZDF), Greece (ERT), Hungary (MTV), Iceland (RUV), Ireland (RTE), Italy (RAI), Latvia (LTV), Lebanon (TL), Lithuania (LRT), Macedonia (MKRTV), Moldova (TRM), Montenegro (RTCG), Netherlands (NOS), Norway (NRK), Poland (TVP2), Portugal (RTP), Romania (TVR), Russia (RTR), Serbia (RTS), Slovenia (RTVSLO), Spain (RTVE), Sweden (SVT), Switzerland (SF, TSI & TSR), Turkey (TRT) and UK (BBC).