THE ISSUES OF PRE-ELECTORAL AGITATION DISCUSSED
At the session, the participants expressed their attitude towards pre-electoral agitation on the upcoming Presidential elections on October 15, the Council reports. All conditions for transparent and democratic Presidential elections have been created in the country, the participants underlined. Unfortunately, some of the Presidential contenders, abusing their opportunities, take non-ethical and illegal actions during the campaign, slandering their opponents, particularly, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. The Council condemns such actions and wishes that pre-electoral campaigns of Presidential contenders, as well as their speeches on TV and Radio were held in the spirit of normal and civilized political struggle.
The participants discussed the issue of illegal intrusion of foreign countries’ TV and Radio channels upon air space of Azerbaijan. According to observations and study held by employees of the Council, it was pointed out that recently, programs of a number of TV and Radio channels of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation are on air in some areas of Azerbaijan
The Council is very much concerned and states that such actions are completely non-acceptable from the point of view of informational security of the country. Interference of foreign TV channels in any of the forms into air space of Azerbaijan should be appraised as a sign of non-respect towards the laws of the state of Azerbaijan.
One should remember that existence of such phenomenon causes technical problems for normal broadcast of TV and Radio channels of the republic. The Council hopes taking into account the fact that intrusion upon TV and Radio space of the republic may cause serious consequences, the government of Azerbaijan will promote that related ministries took necessary measures.
A number of other issues were discussed at the session and related resolutions were passed.
