Opinions

Head of the OSCE Baku office Maurisio Pavesi:
First of all, I would like to express my satisfaction towards the constructive works accompolished in the formation of Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and congratulate Ismayil Omarov, the chief director of the Public TV. The work was finished at the end of August should be remembered as a good beginning and the first success. It creates a suitable opportunity for Azerbaijan people to express themselves openly.
However, some months ago, I noted that the representatives of the Azerbaijan society were on the right path of forming a democracy by creating Public Television and Radio. I think that ITV (Public TV) will not highlight any useless information or any personal interests but it will act as a channel for informing the society with facts that are based on truth.
As we know, a democracy is the supervisor of the people, state policy, system of finance and society. It is possible to express this supervision in different ways. But in order to express the views of the society, democracy must develop and find its own solution. The public position is the collection of public views. If someone’s thought is important for the public, it should be supported with the right information service. Thus, events and existing problems in the country must be highlighted operatively and objectively. I believe ITV could manage such problems.

United Nations Development Program Resident coordinator in Azerbaijan, Marco Borsotti:
“Public Television to Give Great Hope to the Society”
I would like to congratulate you with the creation of the Public TV. It is worthy to mention that, though the Public TV has just recently been created, the efficiency that has been developed in the administration, in such a short period, amazed me a lot. I think that with such good administration, the Public TV will act properly.
It goes without saying that Public TV carries great hopes of the society. The presentation of national and international news is of great importance. And, in the process of broadcasting the interests of the public, not the interests of its sponsors should be taken into consideration. To express people’s views and spread them all over the country is one of the most important issues. Nowadays television is the most powerful way of communication. In the development of a democracy, it is important to have a balanced position to express the views of different sections, parties, social and public groups, organizations and other representatives of the society. It will help people to get informed and to form their own points of view. I think the activity of the Broadcast Council supporting the independence of the Public TV is of great importance too. For this reason, I wish lots of success to the Public TV staff.

Etibar Memmedov:
“I hope ITV (Public TV) will be an independent favorite channel of the audience”:
 The foundation of the Public TV has long been awaited. We expect ITV to form its programs by expressing the public views. We are all aware of the fact that other channels serve different interests. But Public TV should not broadcast such activities. We want the real (nonbiased) electronic information service.
Of course, we cannot speak about Public TV before its formation but only after it has formed. Some negative opinions towards Public TV were made to weaken it, but I hope that Public TV will gain the trust of the audience by using fair and objective activities.
I wish all the best to the Public TV staff.

Vagif Semedoglu:
“I would like to see new scientific and ethnographic programs on Public TV”:
I hope that Public TV will express what people expect. In fact, the workers of this company are aware of the public needs. For this reason, all the staff of Public TV must demonstrate its values in practice.
What about the people who are expressing a negative attitude towards this channel, I must say that, one must wait before speaking, and express your negative thoughts after you see that this TV does not justify your confidence. I must note that, those people are against the success of this channel.

Turan Morali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Azerbaijan:
Turkish Embassy follows the constructive works of the Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and accepts its foundation as an important role in the independent development of media in Azerbaijan. This process will also stimulate the democratization processes in Azerbaijan.
There exist strong cooperation in every field between our countries. If the Public TV needs any help, the Turkish Embassy and TRT representative Abdulhamid Avshar will do their best to assist in the solution of its problems. As a Turkish ambassador I would be pleased to take part in the corresponding programs of the Public TV and I wish success to the ITV (Public Television) staff.

Poet Ramiz Rovshen.
“Democratic Countries should have Public TV”:
 We are very glad of the broadcast of Public TV. It was an important event in the history of Azerbaijan as we establish a democratic society. I hope that Public TV will express only fair and impartial information.

Ziyafet Askerov, Vice-speaker of Milli-Mejlis:
Our society has been waiting a long time for the establishment of Public TV. It is a social tendency. I wish that you maintain your balance in your activities by following your principles of objectiveness and impartiality.
I wish complete success to the Public TV staff in their work.

Sabir Rustemkhanli,
Head of the Civil Union Party:
“Public TV must open a new page in the culture of the freedom of expression.”
The establishment of the Public TV is an important event in the history of Azerbaijan television and press. Such an independent institute may stimulate democratic processes, creation of civil society and normalize attitudes towards differing opinions in Azerbaijan. A balanced opportunity for each position whether it is government or opposition is an important fact for the fulfillment of the above mentioned statements.
I would like the Public TV staff to demonstrate a high quality of performance.
I. Omerov, Director General has enough opportunity to create the best institute based on objectiveness, and I want him to use all his power and experience in establishing the institute to express only the public views.

Special Representative of European Council Secretary General in Azerbaijan Mr. Mats Linberg:
“We have no doubt that Public Television will broadcast high-leveled program.”
First of all, I would like to express my delight towards the broadcast of Public Television. I know that the administration of the Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company spent a lot of effort in its creation. The European Council is satisfied with the activities of the Public TV and accepts its existence as the reality of democracy in Azerbaijan. The broadcast of Public TV is one of the most important terms for Azerbaijan to become the member of European Council.
We carry great hopes for the Public TV to organize discussions based on democratic, independent and balanced political views. We even don’t doubt that the Public TV will create different and high-leveled programs. Of course, life itself will show the success of the Public TV, and we anticipate its success after the programs are produced. For this reason, we shall follow the activity of the Public TV. It should be mentioned that the parliamentary election to be held in November in Azerbaijan is an important experiment for the Public TV. To show its independence, it must create equal access for the nominees of the political parties in expressing their views in the election campaigns.
We know that the Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company has just been founded and it will have a lot of difficulties ahead. It should be also remarked that Public TV is in the process of developing, and European Council will do its best to help this company.
To sum up, I would like to wish success to Public TV administration and staff.

Iqbal Aghazadeh, Head of the party “Umid”:
In the opening ceremony of the Public TV, the film “Dede Qorqud” was broadcast. It was a symbol, showing the closeness of the Public TV towards its nation. Of course, it has not fulfilled all its pledges, but it should be considered a good beginning. To broadcast fair, objective and impartial information is quite an important business. I hope you maintain your principles in your future activities.

Composer Javanshir Guliyev:
"I wish the music broadcast on Public TV will be highly qualified".

I want Public TV to express all the interests of our society. We have many complaints about the publicity of lower qualified music. Frankly speaking, I am not aware of the programs broadcast on Public TV. But I wish Public TV to highlight qualified music.