24 December 2008
Halting of Azattyk Broadcasts in Kyrgyz Republic
Programs contribute to democratic development, should resume
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
December 23, 2008
Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman
RFE/RL Broadcasts Cut from Kyrgyz National Television and Radio Network
The United States is concerned that the Kyrgyz National Television and Radio Network stopped broadcasting Radio Azattyk, the Kyrgyz-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Azattyk’s popular television news programs, “Inconvenient Questions” and “Azattyk Plus.” These programs provide a public service as a source of information for the Kyrgyz people and make a valuable contribution to free media, open debate, and democratic development in Kyrgyzstan.
We urge the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to work with RFE/RL to again permit broadcast of these programs as soon as possible.
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