Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan

A warning was issued to some television channels for broadcasting in a foreign language during the advertising spot

 

On July 27, 2023, a meeting of the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in video format. During the meeting violations of the legislation on the air of television channels registered by the monitoring group of the Council were discussed.

Thus, in recent days an advertising of an iced coffee drink was broadcasted on the air of "ARB", "ATV", "Space TV", "Khazar TV" channels with an audio text in a foreign language. It should be noted that, despite the fact that Azerbaijani translation of some expressions in this advertising, was demonstrated in written form, however, in accordance with the requirements of Article 14.2 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Media", as well as Article 4.7 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Advertising", it is necessary to comply with the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the State language", and to ensure the use of the state language in terrestrial broadcasting programs, the main audio text of the advertising must also be voiced in the state language.

Taking into account the noted, the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan demands that all television channels immediately remove this advertising from the air and show it only on condition of translation of the audio text into Azerbaijani language and its adaptation to the Azerbaijani language.

If broadcasting of programs (including advertising spots) without complying with the requirements of the legislation is detected, the appropriate sanctions will be applied by the Council against that broadcaster.