The history of Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting goes back to 1926 when Azerbaijan Radio was established. Azerbaijan Television launched broadcasting in 1956 when Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting company was established.
Media assets
Television: AzTV, Idman Azerbaijan TV, Medeniyyet TV
Radio: Radio Azerbaijan
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
AzTV is a 100% state-owned closed joint-stock company established by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 213. The top brass at the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (chair, vice-chair and the boards of directors at the television and radio channels) are appointed by the country’s President.
Source of funding and budget
Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (AzTV) has been funded entirely from state subsidies for more than 60 years. In 2020, the broadcaster received a subsidy of AZN 33m (US$ 19.4m) from the government. The broadcaster doesn’t make public its financial reports although it is obliged by law, as a government-funded entity, to do so. According to journalists who have investigated Azerbaijan, some of the funds allocated to the broadcaster came through companies that were based in offshore territories (Virgin Islands, UAE, etc.), which are suspected to be operated by Azeri government officials as part of their money laundering activities.
Editorial independence
Like all broadcasters in Azerbaijan, AzTV is fully loyal to the government, its programs solely presenting the policies and viewpoints of the government, according to journalists specializing in Azerbaijan.
No domestic statute or independent assessment/oversight mechanism to validate the AzTV’s editorial independence have been identified.
September 2023