Despite the difficulties "Azadlig" remains faithful to the principles of a free press, editor
Despite all the difficulties and the pressure , the newspaper "Azadlig" remains true to the principles of a free press, and serves the truth. The position of the newspaper is a measure of the general situation with the press freedom in Azerbaijan, said deputy chief editor of "Azadlig" newspaper Rahim Hajiyev in an interview Cətin Sual of Turan agency on the occasion of National Press Day. "Unfortunately today, Media Day, and we again meet it under dire situation which has been lasting for many years: it arrests and beatings of employees, astronomical legal penalties, obstacles in distributing the newspaper. One of the leading journalists of the country, Seymour Hazy, who was arrested and convicted on trumped-up charges of hooliganism, is still in jail. Due to financial problems, the newspaper owes its employees salary of more than 100 thousand manats, and the newspaper is published only thanks to their dedication," said Hajiyev.
He noted also that "Azadlig" is deprived of financial support from the state, which is generously distributed among short-run and pro-government newspapers. In a normal democratic state, the press should not require government assistance. The media should be able to work as a business structure , and themselves earn on circulation and advertising.
"The newspaper" Azadlig "for many years has been deprived of these sources, as businesses have banned advertising in our newspapers," he said.
The process of economic strangulation has been going on for a long time; at the end of the 90s. 70% of the media were independent, but today most of them work for the government, unable to withstand the pressure.
"It is a pity that a free media community has already become a small force. However, a few conscientious journalists continue their struggle, and there is a demand for them in society.
Daily visits to the online version of the newspaper "Azadlig" makes tens of thousands of original IP, it means the needs of people in the free press, interest in an independent and objective sources," said Hajiyev.-06D-
Difficult question
-
In recent developments that highlight the fraught nature of American politics, the Trump administration’s scrutinizing gaze has fallen upon the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a key player in the global outreach efforts of the U.S. government. This move has stirred a discourse that spans beyond U.S. borders, roping in responses from Azerbaijani pro-government media and eliciting comments from local political figures like Natig Jafarli, chairman of the REAL Party in Azerbaijan.
-
The municipal elections in Azerbaijan, held on January 29, took place without significant public interest or pre-election activity, according to an election law expert. Official data from the Central Election Commission (CEC) reported a voter turnout of 31.45%, but independent observers have cast doubt on this figure.
-
The absence of Azerbaijan's delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) winter session has sparked questions about the country’s participation in the European institution. According to sources in Azerbaijan's parliament, PACE did not send an official invitation to Azerbaijan, as participation requires such an invitation to be issued.
-
Azerbaijani pro-government media have unleashed an unexpected wave of anti-Russian rhetoric, including claims of espionage at the "Russian House" and accusations that the opposition National Council has ties with Moscow. Chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces Jamil Hasanli dismissed the allegations as baseless, describing them as part of a smear campaign by the government to shift attention from its own close ties with the Kremlin.
Leave a review