Azeri Public TV to Air Armenian Programming
As Azeri news sources reported today, the Azerbaijan Public TV chief announced that it will air TV broadcasts in Armenian. The intended beneficiaries of this service are the Armenians in Karabakh. As transmitted by PanArmenian.net:
“Karabakh Armenians are citizens of Azerbaijan. We are going to provide a special status to them. Citizens of Azerbaijan should know about the processes in the country and state development not through hearsay. After they get to know about this development, they will come against Armenian occupation themselves,” [Director General of the Public Television Company (OTV) of Azerbaijan, that was founded yesterday, Ismail Omarov ] said.
Nice try, Mr. Omarov. Where were you, like, 20 years ago?
Actually, this is more likely a reciprocal act: the Karabakh TV & Radio authority has been airing “Voice of Justice” program in Azeri language for a long time. (Read a funny report on this). One of the announcers is an ethnic Azeri woman living in Artsakh. There was a report by Julia Hakobyan on this in ArmeniaNow.com and AGBU Magazine.
If one reads Azeri public forums and news sites, there are postings about this broadcasts which do reach neighboring districts of Azerbaijan. Also, due to the relief and larger size of Azerbaijan, centralized radio and TV broadcasts from Baku do not reach all of Azerbaijan, and they can’t afford relay stations. So, many of districts neighboring Armenia can view Armenian TV and listen to FM stations. In fact, there are periodic complaints from truck and other drivers who claim that in northern and western parts of Azerbaijan it’s easier to listen to Armenian stations.
It’s not unlike the Turkish TV and Radio broadcasts in Armenia.
I still don’t get it. Exactly how is it that Armenia and Azerbaijan are now closer to peace more than ever. As an outsider the only difference I have been able to notice (once you pull away all the propeganda - not that I think I could do this successfully) is that Azerbaijan is no longer threatening war. Opinions anyone?
Comment by Alan Haroutonian — 7/20/2005 @ 11:40 am
I remember watching Azerbaijani State TV in Talysh four years ago. Programs looked almost identical to Armenian Public (State) TV except for language. Even had the same Cookery program with near enough the same set and both sonsored by Coca Cola. Will be interesting if its Armenians living in Baku who broadcast to Karabakh.
There are something like 20,000 still there - although mainly women married to Azeris.
Anyway, sounds to me like they’re getting ready for a possible peace deal that will mean there will be a referendum held in 10-15 years. They’re hoping that the economic card will swing it.
Comment by Onnik — 7/20/2005 @ 12:31 pm
Well, first of all this is still “talking”. Let’s wait and see how and when they are going to broadcast any program to Arcakh. For broadcasting in Arcakh they would need to install relay stations powerful enough to reach the possible viewers. Let’s not forget also that to power a radio and TV signal jammer is
not a big deal.
Comment by Tigran Khanzadyan — 7/20/2005 @ 3:00 pm
This is interesting considering the Lennmarker report noting that AZ would have to show significant interest in respecting minorities.
Comment by Katy — 7/20/2005 @ 5:06 pm