USA criticizes Azerbaijan for cessation of Voice of America broadcasting

Board of Directors on Broadcasting issues in Washington expressed strong resentment over the plans of Azerbaijan to stop provision of national frequency to foreign radio stations, including Voice of America and Radio Liberty.

They made a statement Friday "About restrictions of the activity of mass media in Azerbaijan" in a response to previously voiced statement of the head of Azerbaijani Radio and Television that access of foreign companies to frequencies controlled by the country's government will be ceased in 2009, Gazeta.Ru reports with reference to ITAR-TASS.

Washington sees a "disturbing pattern" in how Baku has been managing the national frequencies through the past two years.