It is not just the formation of a simple company or organization. It is the start of an independent and impartial means of Mass Media. Everybody was looking forward to this day.
Electronic Mass Media is the only sphere that we never suffer from. We have a number of newspapers and TV channels currently operating in Azerbaijan. But I think the importance is not in the quantity of TV channels and newspapers we have. We must confess that we need independent and objective TV very much. Therefore our position in Azerbaijan broadcasting is not narrow. On the contrary, the broadcast needs to fulfill the emptiness in TV, public TV was created because of this need. There is no need to speak about the creation of history due to the formation of Public TV. I hope many people have enough information about public TV. That is why, I will only speak about the questions that need special explanation or attention. In reality, the way in which we created public TV was very long and very short at the same time. It was long due to the discussions about Public TV going on for many years. It was short due to us being given three months for its formation and construction. Everybody knew that this was an impossible task, because TV and radio is a difficult sphere in which to form a structure quickly. It was very demanding, in the ability to create a technical-economy and to produce creative work at the same times, which are closely tied with each other. To tell the truth, the time for the construction of TV broadcasting was wasted due to certain reasons. We went here and there for the Radio Plant. We even worked as "foremen" and helped to complete the project. Then we got settled in the building of the Ozone plant. Only 2 months before, we started the reconstruction of that building, set up our studious and provided the necessary equipments needed. From the first day of our companies' creation, we have faced many problems such as negative propaganda. Many attempts have been made in order to prevent our work from being completed successfully at Public Television and Broadcasting, from official and unofficial quarters.
As everybody knows, it is very easy to gossip but much harder to work. We have not had time to answer the accusations against me and my company, which have been circulating in the newspapers and various television networks. In fact, we started work on this impossible challenge and we have done an extremely good job so far. Our answer to our critics and competitors will be our channels successful broadcasting on time. We knew that people would be waiting impatiently for our broadcasts to start. I can honestly confess that we were able to complete this difficult task with great dignity.
We have worked in very difficult conditions for the last 2 to 3 months. Simultaneously, we recognized who our friends and enemies were. The latter, remained powerless due to the support and love of the Azeri people. We laid the foundations for the most transparent and democratic institution for which our society has waited a very long time. One part of our task was the companies forming, solving and the regulating of technical problems. If we do not prepare and provide telecasts which are different yet more professional than our competitors, which have a deep scientific and sociopolitical content, based on our national and cultural wealth, with them being up to the latest technological requirements, the hard work of our employees will not be appreciated. We want to entertain, and to make people happy, to surprise our viewers and listeners with our telecasts, but not with the most modern equipment and attractive construction work, but with our creativity. That is why, all our employees are occupied and are busy trying to produce creative telecasts. Undoubtedly, Public TV broadcasting will be the most objective and operative informational source. Scientific and sociopolitical telecasts will provide news for a big audience.
I would like to express my view on the negative opinions which are circulating in different circles in regard to Public Television. Azerbaijan undertook to create Public Television during its entry into the European Union. It would be wrong to perceive it as commitment or order. This is an order from the Azeri people who are trying to build a civil society in a democratic environment. Today, society needs telecasting which provides objective and unbiased information. On this fine day, for the employees of our company and for our people, I remember, that some people were trying to threaten and intimidate us with the foreigners of the European Union and ASCC. What about the reality? After visiting our company, the foreigners saw the massive amount of work we have done and their opinion was very different. I can honestly say that: each foreigner who visited this yard, building, cabinets, did not hide their admiration for our efforts, and they were satisfied with our work. Yes, we can admire the Europeans. This was a very good answer for our critics. It is true that the television is called "the window, opening us to the world." The whole world will see the reality of Azerbaijan, its history, national liberation struggle, its rich culture, music, literature and art. The public's position will form as a basis of freedom of speech, and the ideas of the people in Public Broadcasting. The first weeks program's telecasts are published in a number of the local "Public newspapers." In the first place, when making any programmes, we took into consideration the publics' viewpoint .By the way, there is the department studying the public's viewpoint in our company and they have already carried out a few public opinion polls. This kind of work will continue systematically, according to the questions and their results and proper changes in programs will be implemented. Of course, our mission is not completed with the simple watching and natural showing of all events in the broadcast. We will try to show the Public TV broadcasting as a central role of our democratic institution in the national solidarity's education of the civil society.
I persuade everybody in its realization. Today, Public Television will cross and reach every home in Azerbaijan. We are proud of our participation in the grandiose event. We work for the people, and we hope that our people support us to implement our responsibility properly.