RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service Launches Live Talk Shows

(Prague, Czech Republic–March 13, 2007) RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service launched two live daily talk programs on March 5 on its new FM frequency, Baku FM 101.7 The first show, “Can Baki” (Dear Baku), is an hour-long midday program devoted to local issues in the Azeri capital that airs from 12:00noon-1:00 p.m. local time (4:00-5:00 a.m. EDT). The second program, “Doktor Ziya ile Ishden Sonra” (After Work with Doctor Ziya), is a two-hour drive time talk show addressing social, political and cultural issues in Azerbaijan that airs from 5:00-7:00 p.m. local time (9:00-11:00 a.m. EDT). Both shows are produced by RFE/RL’s Baku Bureau and air every weekday.

To help launch “Ishden Sonra,” U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse agreed to go live on the air at the Baku Bureau on March 5. During the interview, Ambassador Derse thanked the Azerbaijani Service for its contribution to the development of free media and democracy in Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Derse said: “You [RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service] are making a tremendous contribution to the development of a free press here in Azerbaijan. And that is a key part of a strong democracy as you know. I applaud the work you are doing. And I will be listening to your programs. I listen every morning on my way to work and every evening on my way home. It is also helping me to learn Azerbaijani. Thank you so much.”

With these new additions, RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service broadcasts 10 hours of original programming a day on Baku FM 101.7 — a new frequency it shares with Voice of America.

RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service broadcasts are produced in Prague and the service’s Baku Bureau and transmitted to listeners via satellite and AM and FM signals provided by local affiliate stations. Azerbaijani Service programming is also available via the Internet, at the service’s website www.azadliq.org and at www.rferl.org; English-language news about events in Azerbaijan can be found on the RFE/RL website.