Japanese radio airs program on Azerbaijan`s media
Baku, January 27 (AZERTAC). Japanese radio “Rainbow Town FM 79.2 Tokyo” aired a special program about Azerbaijan`s media. Listeners of the radio also watched the program online live on the station`s website.
AZERTAC`s special correspondent to Japan Vugar Aghayev participated in the program and answered questions of the announcer and listeners.
Announcers of the program Soishi Iki, Saki Noda and Karena highlighted independence history, geographical position and powerful economic potential of Azerbaijan.
Aghayev said Azerbaijan has signed huge international projects and claimed to construct the tallest TV tower of the world.
He said the Azerbaijani government puts special emphasis on freedom of press and expression, noting more than 600 newspapers were registered in the country. Aghayev pointed out that there are 6 channels that broadcast to a national audience and several regional ones in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency - (AZERTAC) is a major news and information agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the only source of the official government news.
AZERTAC, founded by the Government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on March 1, 1920, functioned under various names during the Soviet period.
The Agency restored its historical name after Azerbaijan regained state independence. From March 3, 1995 to January 17, 2000, the agency bore the name “State Telegraph Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers”, and then was renamed “Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency”.
Along with the official government information, AZERTAC wires in Azerbaijani, English, Russian, French, German and Arabic languages the round-the-clock news covering all spheres of life in Azerbaijan, including politics, economy, culture, sports, health, environment and others.
AZERTAC has international cooperation agreements with ITAR-TASS (Russia), Anatolian News Agency (Turkey), Xinhua (China), AGERPRESS (Romania), Ukrinform (Ukraine), BELTA (Belarus), Tanjug (Serbia), BTA (Bulgaria) and ANSA (Italy), IRNA (Iran), Moldpres (Moldova), ATA (Albania), MTI (Hungary) MENA (Egypt), PETRA (Jordan) and ANTARA (Indonesia), Montsame (Mongolia), Yonhap (South Korea), LETA (Latvia), Kabar (Kyrgyzia), Kazinform (Kazakhstan), KUNA (Kuwait), Khovar (Tajikistan), KYODO (Japan), BuaNews (South Africa), AGI (Italy), QNA(Qatar). In 2004, AZERTAC joined the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and 2008 the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA).
AZERTAC is one of the founders of the Association of the National News Agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (ANIA), the Union of the Turkish Speaking News Agencies (TKA) and the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies (BSANNA). Since 2008, AZERTAC has been a member of the consortium of Asia'a news agencies AsiaPulse.
AZERTAC has bureaus in the USA, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Latvia, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Central Asia, China and Japan, as well as provinces of Azerbaijan.
The Organization of the Asia-Pacific News Agencies` (OANA) running 3-time Bureau member, Director General of AZERTAC Aslan Aslanov has been elected as Vice-President of this international organization.
The decision was adopted at the 15th OANA General Assembly, which was held in Moscow bringing together 44 news agencies from 35 countries.
The attendees saw secret ballot for determination of a host agency for the 16th OANA General Assembly. Majority of members of the organization voted for AZERTAC`s candidacy, making Baku as a host city for the next General Assembly in 2016. So, AZERTAC will lead the OANA in 2016-2019.
Aghayev said the World Congress of News Agencies held in Ar-Riyadh on November 17-21 made a decision on Azerbaijan`s hosting the 5th World Congress. AZERTAC will chair the organization in 2016-2019.
Aghayev noted that the correspondent bureau of AZERTAC in Tokyo was set up in 2011.
He said Japan-Azerbaijan relations covering political, economic and cultural areas have successfully developed in past years. AZERTAC`s special correspondent added that Azerbaijani media has highlighted a number of articles on Japanese ancient history and culture.
Answering a question on current situation of media in Azerbaijan, Aghayev said hundreds of media organs freely operate in Azerbaijan. “Censorship was lifted by national leader Heydar Aliyev in 1998.” He said freedom of speech is ensured in the country. He spoke of President Ilham Aliyev`s care and attention to the media.
He said in accordance with order of President Ilham Aliyev journalists have been provided with apartments.
Aghayev also noted that the President was honored with Friend of Journalists Award in 2010-2013.
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