Ali Hasanov highlights state care for media, its development

President Ilham Aliyev always pays great attention to the media and takes all the necessary measures to resolve its problems and ensure its development, said Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijani president’s aide for public and political affairs.

President Ilham Aliyev always pays great attention to the media and takes all the necessary measures to resolve its problems and ensure its development, said Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijani president’s aide for public and political affairs.

Hasanov made the remark while addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of TV broadcasting and 90th anniversary of radio broadcasting in Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan is successfully continuing the National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s policy and traditions in the sphere of media, just like in all other spheres,” he said. “Over the last 12 years, the legislative framework of TV and radio activities has been greatly strengthened, regulatory mechanisms have been improved, Azerbaijani television and radio have even more developed and modern technologies have been widely used in this area.”

Hasanov recalled that the country adopted the “Law on Public Television and Radio Broadcasting” in 2004.

The Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company was created and started to operate in 2005, he said, adding that the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Company was created in 2005, replacing the Azerbaijan State Television, and new channels, such as Medeniyyet (Culture) and Idman Azerbaycan (Sport Azerbaijan) were created as part of it.

The top official said Azerbaijan has in recent years stepped up the attention to development of information and communication systems, reminding that the country sent two satellites into the orbit, thereby, significantly increasing the opportunities of Azerbaijan’s TV and radio broadcasters.

Hasanov pointed out that currently 10 countrywide, 13 regional, 17 cable, one satellite and 15 online television channels, as well as 13 countrywide and three regional radio channels operate in Azerbaijan.

“Digital broadcasting has started across Azerbaijan,” he added.

“The significance of the programs broadcasted by local TV and radio channels has greatly increased in Azerbaijani social, political and cultural life,” said Hasanov.

“Taking all this into account, coherent measures are taken in order to ensure state support to TV and radio activities, strengthen the material and technical sources for online media outlets, enhance the social security of journalists and technical staff working in this sphere and give state awards and honorary titles to those standing out [in this sphere],” he added.

He also pointed out that allocation of a total of 11 million manats in accordance with Azerbaijani president’s decrees, signed in 2011 and 2013 to provide financial assistance for production of national television films, opened up additional opportunities for the development of TV channels as well.

“Information and communication systems are developing rapidly. The internet is gradually contracting the coverage of print media, television and radio,” said Hasanov. “Nevertheless, the television and radio audience is still large in Azerbaijan, and by efficiently using new technologies this spheres meet the information need of 85 percent of the country’s population.”

The event was attended by state and government officials, members of the parliament, heads of mass media organizations, and public figures.