Television today is key integrator of public interests: Azerbaijani presidential administration official

Trend News: Recently the chief -of-staff of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev in an analytical article published on the "Azerbaijan" newspaper made a profound analysis into the present situation in the Azerbaijani television. Does Azerbaijan' television need reforms?

Elnur Aslanov: It is long overdue to analyze the situation, and chief-of-staff of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Academician Ramiz Mehdiyev in an article widely and integrally analyzed the situation, showed gaps in the television sector and pointed to the need for change. The article focused on the fact that television today is a key integrator of the public interest, and agenda of public debate, the social model, in which we live, depends on truly forming of policy of TV channels.

If a TV channel airs only the issues and problems of show business most of the day, it is obvious that all other achievements, including the country's development and much else may generally result in a loss of interest in what surrounds us. It is easy to look back and realize how important and significant is happening around us, as a developing country, which in recent years have implemented innovations and achievements. Unfortunately, the problem is that TV channels are not always effectively highlight everything that happens in the country and the society wants, but it is not just show business.

In this regard, it is extremely important that the ideas expressed by the chief of the Administration will be understood correctly. Nobody opposes a discussion of show business, which may be of interest to a certain part of society.

But the time for the primitive comedy programs aimed at a limited audience has passed. Under advances in information and communication technology, it is important to keep up with the transformations in the world. Unfortunately, this is not observed in some channels. This is about which the chief of the Administration wrote.

Why does Azerbaijan not have television broadcasts, such as "Geniuses and Clever," or why has "Brain Ring" gone into oblivion? The national TV channels used to have similar programs once. Or why do the national channels, except for some, almost lack qualitative analytical programs. The chief of the Administration rightly pointed out that the TV channels almost do not discuss foreign policy issues, regional issues that directly impact Azerbaijan and generally concerning the world.

One should truly understand the essence of the article, because the issue is not only in improving the quality of broadcast. Public debate and interest today are largely shaped by TV, Internet, radio and newspapers, to some extent. Therefore, those what are shown by TV channels must generally meet national interests.

Q: The article points to numerous programs in the Azerbaijani TV channels, which have a negative impact on the upbringing of the younger generation. What policies, in your opinion, should the management of the TV channels pursue to balance such telecasts?

A: The chief of the Administration noted that more attention should be given to educational programs aimed at raising intellectual level, education, moral values, and patriotic spirit of the younger generation. Further, a key task of TV channels should be determined by understanding the tasks faced by the state and society. The main priority of the government is to form an efficient state, modernize public life, increase economic prosperity, democratize and establish an effective civil society, as well as independent mass media. Television channels and other resources must serve the achievement of these goals.

It should be noted that the issues raised by the chief of the Administration are not only the issues related to television. Talking about one thing, the chief of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration spoke in general issues faced by the media community of the country. That is, today there are a large number of Internet resources, radio, hundreds of newspapers and magazines. Accordingly, these publications and resources, as well as radio channels must think not only about show business, but also the intellectual, educational mission, which stands in front of them. Newspapers should act as agents of independent, factual and qualitative information. However, some media, especially newspapers, still demonstrate the lack of quality information and analytics.

/Trend News/