The use of foreign words with Azerbaijani equivalents on television channels is being monitored

Since the end of last year, the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been carrying out monitoring of the use of foreign words in the broadcasts of nationwide terrestrial and satellite television channels. The monitoring focuses on identifying the use by presenters on 15 television channels of approximately 40 foreign words with Azerbaijani equivalents, as confirmed by the Institute of Linguistics of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

At a January meeting with senior officials of television broadcasters, the results of the December monitoring were presented, and the broadcasters were advised to give the findings serious consideration. It was noted that, based on the results of subsequent monitoring, administrative measures would be applied if the trend of inappropriate use of foreign words does not decrease.

Although the monitoring results for January were similar to those for December, a significant decrease in the use of foreign words with Azerbaijani equivalents by television presenters was observed in February of the current year, following meetings and awareness-raising activities. Thus, while 1366 instances of foreign word usage by presenters on 15 television channels were detected in December, and 1460 in January, this figure decreased to 864 in February.

While noting that such monitoring will continue, the Audiovisual Council once again highlights to broadcasters the importance of strengthening editorial oversight and recommends that editorial staff and presenters step up efforts to reduce the use of foreign words.