Well-known television presenter Ilhamiyya Rza has withdrawn from broadcasting. She attributed this to television channels losing out to social networks.
Ilhamiyya Rza noted that television channels are unable to create interesting content. She extended this opinion to the entire television landscape.
Honored journalist Mubariz Asgarov, who was formerly the presenter and project manager of the program “Qulp” on ANS TV, commented on the issue in a statement to Modern.az:
"If Ilhamiyya Rza has left, I wish her well. I cannot say anything about this. However, I want to note that no matter how much social networks develop, they will not be able to replace television. But television employees must also do their best to create value".
He noted that television has a strategic status:
"Timely reaction to events, the authority to express opinions on behalf of state institutions, and greater trust in society".
The TV presenter said that television emerged after cinema, but cinema did not lose its status:
"Now, social networks have emerged after television. Television will remain in force. As for TV presenters referring to social networks, this is normal; they can do it. There is no prohibition against this; the main thing is to produce interesting content".
M. Asgarov added that serious work should be done not only on television but on all types of mass media. Appropriate steps must be taken to ensure good viewership.
However, Elchin Shikhli, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Union of Journalists and Honored Journalist, stated that Ilhamiyya Rza is right in her position:
"Television channels have indeed lost out to social networks. Not just television, but all traditional media failed to withstand the competition from social networks.
A program about cooking bozbash on television lasts 4 hours. Programs prepared from tent weddings last 5 hours. A normal person cannot watch such broadcasts for such a long time".
Elchin Shikhli believes that a separate channel could be allocated for kitchen-related topics:
"However, as the main direction of television, serious topics and educational programs should be prepared".
He noted that someday social networks themselves will be replaced by another trend:
"There are people with minimalist views. There are people who turn away from online media and television, preferring to live in nature. And their number is quite significant".
Elchin Shikhli noted that news websites currently immediately take someone's opinion expressed on social networks and prepare news.
"Serious topics need to be written about", - added the Chairman of the AUJ.
