Seminar on “Radio broadcasting in the Republic of Azerbaijan: yesterday, today, and tomorrow” was held

On December 11, 2024 the seminar on "Radio broadcasting in the Republic of Azerbaijan: yesterday, today and tomorrow" was organized by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MDDT) and the Audiovisual Council. The seminar reviewed the work done in the field of radio broadcasting in recent years, the achievements made thanks to the state support for audiovisual broadcasters and discussed plans for the future development of the field.

The event was attended by representatives of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Audiovisual Council, the Production Association under MDDT "Radio Television Broadcasting and Satellite Communications", the State Administration of Radiofrequencies, as well as all nationwide terrestrial radio broadcasters.

The speeches emphasized the rapid development of radio broadcasting in the country due to the special attention and care of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev from the early days of independence to the present period.

It was proudly noted that the unfinished construction of Baku TV Tower Complex was completed by direct order of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and put into operation in 1996 with his direct participation. As a result, the quality of television and radio broadcasting was improved and the coverage area expanded, and FM radio broadcasting, which was considered advanced technology at that time, began in the country.

The wide application of FM radio broadcasting in the country, the development of technical capabilities of the channels, the expansion of the broadcasting infrastructure made it possible to switch off AM radio broadcasting in the next period. This technology has contributed to the ecological environment by reducing the annual energy consumption for radio broadcasting by 14 times and the annual carbon emission by 18.7 kilotons to 1.3 kilotons.

At the seminar it was noted that since 2016, relevant orders have been signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the provision of financial assistance by the state in order to meet the information needs of society, educate the population, strengthen the material and technical base of private broadcasters actively involved in the promotion of the cultural heritage. Thanks to the state's financial support, allocated in five tranches totaling 15 million manats over these years, high-quality radio broadcasting has been provided.

As a continuation of this policy, President Ilham Aliyev, signed the Order "On the allocation of financial resources for the expansion of the radio transmission network in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan" on July 24, 2023 based on the need to ensure population with the programs of all national radio channels in a wider area and with better quality and 13.7 million manats have been allocated for this purpose.

As a result of the implementation of the Order, special technical equipment (transmitters, combiners, RDS units and so on) were purchased and installed in 17 radio-television transmission stations, as well as the improvement of the stability and modernization of the infrastructure was ensured, the programs of almost all national radio channels became available to the all population throughout the country, including liberated Karabakh and East Zangezur.

The above-mentioned Order, as an additional support to radio broadcasters, envisages payment of operational expenses from the state budget during 3 years, which gives radio broadcasters the opportunity to expand their commercial activities during that period.

In order to ensure a high level of diversity in radio programs, as well as to organize the efficient usage of national radiofrequencies the Audiovisual Council has held 5 competitions in last five years, as a result of which the number of nationwide terrestrial radio channels has increased from 11 to 17.

"The Action Plan for the introduction and development of digital radio broadcasting in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan", approved by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated October 7, 2023 is an important document for digital transition in the field of radio broadcasting. With the implementation of the above-mentioned Action Plan, it is intended to extend "DAB+" digital radio broadcasting, which started in 2019 in the territory of Baku and Absheron peninsula, to the entire territory of the country. For this purpose, by the end of this year, it is planned to replace the "DAB+" digital radio transmission equipment in Baku TV Tower Complex with new ones and to ensure "DAB+" digital radio broadcasting from the "Gulustan" radio-television transmission station, located in Agsu district.

The consistent state policy implemented in this field ensures the provision of information to the population in accordance with modern requirements, as well as the strengthening of the country's national security.

Private radio broadcasters participating in the seminar took an active part in the discussions and expressed their deep gratitude to the state authorities for the support provided and the favorable conditions created. It was expressed confidence that public-private partnership in this area, where private channels are the majority among broadcasters, will lead to sustainable development with new successes.