‘Mission impossible’ to obtain digital broadcasting license in Azerbaijan
While inroads in online media and a switch to digital broadcasting promises much for the future of Azerbaijan’s broadcast media, concerns over a lack of diversity remain
“It is ‘mission impossible’ for independent media to get a broadcast license in Azerbaijan. In every other country, the digital switchover goes hand in hand with awareness raising campaigns. In Azerbaijan, the government has not made a single effort to inform the public about the switchover”, said Emin Huseynov, Chair of the Institute Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, which recently co-organised the conference The Future of Broadcast Media in Azerbaijan
Frequencies granted to state controlled media
Held in Baku and organised in collaboration with IMS, the OSCE and the EU, the conference provided a platform for broadcasting experts and government and NGO representatives to discuss Azerbaijan’s leap from analogue to digital broadcasting and the country’s gradual transition from traditional to online media.
Like many other countries, Azerbaijan is set to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting. The final cut-off for analogue signals will take place in late 2013.
The switch allows for an increase in media outlets due to the broadening in broadcasting frequency, but this has yet to provide for increased diversity said IREX media expert Alasgar Mammadli, speaking at the conference:
“In recent months, four tenders offering new frequencies have been announced and granted to the state controlled media companies. The national TV and radio do not serve the interest of the public. Existing channels do not inform the public debate. People go online for the objective information.”
Online media a source of alternative information
“Here comes the important role of the digital media as a source of alternative information. In response to the increasing need for alternative information, IMS helped young journalists to set up the Voice of the Youth online radio, which is now a popular news source among youth. With state controlled media companies dominating the airwaves, the importance of online media increases as it holds potential as a source of alternative information.
The online television channel Objective TV is a popular example of alternative online news. Launched two years ago, the online TV channel works to raise awareness on human rights, and has seen a dramatic increase in popularity, said Gunay Ismayilova, head of the channel:
“Up to 6,000 pieces of video news were broadcasted through our channel during these past two years, half being in English and half in Azerbaijani. Our videos are very popular among the public; once a single video got 260,000 views from audience.”
Internet speed an urgent issue
But the state of the Internet in Azerbaijan limits operations like Objective TV, says Rustam Aliyev, director of Yurd TV, another online television station:
“In Azerbaijan the upload speed of the Internet is very low. This factor dramatically impedes development of online TV in the country. This is an urgent issue to address.”
To address the need for improved Internet connectivity, and to ensure Internet freedom in the country, the IMS-supported Institute Reporters’ Freedom and Safety and a range of other organisations launched the campaign initiative Expression Online in June 2012.
Through advanced research on Internet accessibility, access to information and implementation of eGovernance and freedom of expression online, the initiative works to promote Internet freedom and improved technical infrastructure in the country.
The Future of Azerbaijani Broadcast Media was held on 20 September in Baku and organised by the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) with support from International Media Support (IMS), the OSCE Office in Baku and the European Union. Experts and representatives from the ICT Ministry, National TV and Radio Council, international and local organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the Public Television, online radio stations and media organizations attended the conference. Read more about the confere here.
