FOREIGN BROADCASTS WITH PROPERTY RIGHT NOT BANNED IN NORWAY

“Recently, it was reported that Norway laws ban foreign broadcasts which have property right on national frequencies.

Norway Embassy would like to note that this is not true information.” According to “Radio Liberty”, citing information from “Turan” Information Agency, this was stated in reports disseminated by Norway Embassy on 27 November.

The embassy announces that there are no restrictions in Norway regarding airing foreign broadcasts, which have property right, on national frequencies.

“The only legal restriction on foreign broadcasts, which have property right, on national frequencies, is connected with language; to be precise, with Norway language. There is a minimum requirement for Norway language in broadcasting music, news, and other programs. In fact, most of the radio stations broadcast via local frequencies of Norway have foreign property right.

After announcing that foreign radio stations will cease their operations on local frequencies, National TV and Radio Council Chairman Nushiravan Maharramli stated several times that local frequencies do not belong to foreign radio stations in some European countries.

On 12 November, Norway Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement expressing concerns on views of National TV and Radio Council Chairman Nushiravan Maharramli to cease free operations of BBC, Radio Liberty and VOA. On 18 November Norway ambassador Jan Ramberg was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was warned regarding this statement.