05 November 2003, 17:40
Internews protests against monopolization of electronic media by authorities
Yesterday Internews' Media Rights Institute made a statement regarding the monopolization of Azerbaijan electronic media by the authorities.
Such a policy has a negative effect on the processes in the country.
The statement reads that Internews monitored the electronic media during and after the elections and found out they were fully dependent on the ruling political elite. The amount of air time given to the opposition candidates during the election campaign by television channels, including private ones, proves that.
Besides, during the election campaign, Lider television channel criticized and even insulted opposition candidates for the presidency.
While covering the October 15 elections and post-election events, the television channels took the position that fully coincided with the authorities' one. Both television and radio were used as a propagandist tool, like in the Soviet period.
The National Television and Radio Council has taken no steps to improve the situation, reads the statement.
Source: TURAN Information Agency (Azerbaijan)
