TV and radio broadcasting law tightened in Azerbaijan

He said that most changes are principal, but a few are technical.

"The procedure rules for foreign broadcasters have been made more concrete. The proposals say foreign broadcaster can broadcast through an allotted frequency with the permission of the Council."

Besides, the Council has to be informed before a TV channel is sold or bought because the property can be sold but the license can't be sold.

The licensee-to-be should be eligible to receive the right to broadcasting.

Furthermore, if a TV broadcaster breaks the law three times, the Council will file a request with a court to shut down it, APA reports.

"The law increases the authority of the Council. Broadcaster can be closed for a month, a year and even the license can be withdrawn in Europe. Regrettably, the Council has had no right to do it in Azerbaijan. We therefore suggested that the Council should be entitled to stop the broadcaster temporarily," he said.