Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The Azerbaijani government refuses from creation of competitive advantages for one of the domestic TV channels.

Finance minister Samir Sharifov has stated that since 1 January 2010 Public Television & Radio Broadcasting (Azeri acronym: ITV) should start self-financing at the expense of introduction of payment for TV set owners.

“But as such a payment will hardly be introduced the government is forced to allocate AZN 8 million for this TV company in 2010. Simultaneously budget assignments for ITV have been cut in order not to violate principle of competition between state, private and public television companies of the country,” Sharifov said.

In 2005 the government financed AZN 5.1 million for ITV maintenance, in  2006 AZN 11 million, in 2007 AZN 7.5 million, in 2008 AZN 10.5 million and in 2009 AZN 13.5 million.

16.11.2009 11:51