Journalism and housing

***

- Khalid bey, the third building built for journalists is expected to be distributed to journalists by the National Press Day. There are already intense discussions and debates on social networks and editorial offices. Why do you think houses are distributed to journalists in Azerbaijan? What is the purpose?

- Media is an extreme power. Those who are backed by it can achieve a lot - it can make more money in business, it can strengthen civil society, it can make governments more accountable, it can make politicians more popular, it can make governments last longer, it can prevent rival political forces from advancing, and so on. From this point of view, everyone - the leading groups - wants to be closer to the media, to make friends with it, to neutralize this great power in relation to them, to direct it to competitors, to eliminate it. In my opinion, the distribution of housing to media workers is the rudest tool that can be used to be friendly with the media and to neutralize the media. This is confirmed by the fact that so far nowhere in the world has this tool and experience or been able to be internalized.

- It is also thought-provoking that journalists are trying to receive those apartments. Is it right for a journalist to buy a house from the government? Does this fit into the journalist's professional ethics?

- Whether this issue is ethical or not is so clear that there is no need to discuss it. It is not ethical, no media ethics rules allow it, nor can it. Normal media has written rules of ethics. Such issues are reflected in those rules. The written rules of the practice of developed countries create a wall against receiving something from the government, and from someone in general. In rare cases, small valuable gifts can be considered ethical. Azerbaijan has a code of professional ethics for journalists, which addresses these issues. It is noted that a journalist should not accept any personal, political, or financial incentives, receive valuable gifts, or create conditions for free service that could negatively affect the ability to properly inform the public. It is very difficult to believe that a journalist who has received an apartment from any politician or government will be objective and will be with the truth, not with the person who gave him an apartment. Also, it is not right to attribute the effects of the housing issue only to journalists. This is also political corruption. In general, the basis of this approach is the function of the media, journalists as “supervisors of public interests”. The media and journalists make noise and sound the alarm whenever there is a threat to the public interest. If they receive material things from governments, then they have at least lost this vital function.

The fact that journalists are eager to receive apartments is a deeper issue. The difficult economic conditions that force our journalists to make this difficult choice are the wrong policy pursued by the government for many years in terms of the media and journalists. It is simply impossible to live under these difficult financial conditions.

- This trend has been happening for the last few years. That is, when we look at the first years of independence, we do not see that journalists are fighting for housing, awards, and complaining about earnings. What was different then than now? What happened next? How did the situation of the media and journalists come to this situation?

- In my opinion, the 90s were a "golden age" for the media in Azerbaijan, especially the print media. The broadcast media was not fully controlled by the government, there was a small business free of politics, and the broadcast media had the opportunity to attract advertising from that business. Hundreds of newspapers were published, and those newspapers with a circulation of more than 10,000 were also able to attract advertising. There was also a broadcasting sector, which could sell their newspapers throughout the country and raise funds. There were newsstands and newspaper "tables" on almost every street in Baku. At the same time, our government was not rich, there were strong opposition political parties, and the media could play its role in the debate between the government and rivals. The government could protect those who criticized its rivals, and the opposition could protect those who criticized the government. There were civil society organizations, which were able to protect the media, were generally under pressure from politicians. In a short time, the picture changed - oil money came, and the rich government began to control the broadcast media, and then the print media. There were cuts in advertising money, an incredible number of lawsuits against the media and journalists, arrests of journalists, and fines. There were times when Azerbaijan was a leader in the OSCE area in terms of the number of imprisoned journalists and allegations of defamation. Then, against the background of the abolition of broadcasting infrastructure, government aid began to go into action. Deprived of financial resources, the media was subdued that aids page by page. Then came the issue of housing and other incentives. All this took place against the background of unprecedented pressure on the unbowed. Thus, the media began to serve the interests of the government, and the current situation has arisen.

- How is the situation in other countries? In all countries, do journalists not earn enough to buy an apartment? Or is this trend only in Azerbaijan?

- The situation is different by country. But compared to the countries of the Council of Europe, our situation is very sad. There are also journalists in Ukraine, Georgia, and a number of other countries that came out of the Soviet umbrella with us, who became millionaires at the expense of the media they established and protected under government pressure. In the example of Ukraine, there are newspapers with a circulation of more than 100,000 printed and sold in their districts. There are TV channels that attract millions of advertisements. Last year and the year before, media advertising revenue in Georgia was over 75 million. This figure is 10 times less in Azerbaijan, of which the gross domestic product exceeds theirs. However, normally the advertising revenue of our media should amount to 100 million. The print media depends entirely on government assistance. The broadcasting sector has been eliminated. Television and radio frequencies can only be given to those under government control. As long as these restrictions remain, the day is far when our journalists will be able to get housing at their own expense.

- What would you suggest? What steps should be taken for journalists to earn a living, to improve the media situation, and to stand on their own two feet?

- The main issue is the removal of restrictions. Without freedom, there will be no rise, development, and progress. The problem in Azerbaijan is very deep and systematic. It is advertising revenue that keeps the media and journalism afloat. Advertising depends on the business sector. The business sector is politically motivated. Therefore, the issue is complicated. What can be the main steps? Pressure, restrictions, and harassment of the Internet media must end. Steps must be taken to encourage professionals in this area. Steps that intimidate and discourage journalism must be stopped. The regulator should hang a list of frequencies suitable for television and radio on a wall where everyone can see them, and put them out to tenders in a certain sequence and on equal terms for all. Barriers to print media created in the last 10-15 years must be removed. The broadcasting sector must be restored. Azerbaijan's media legislation is not progressive. Quite reactionary changes have been made to progressive laws in the last 10-15 years. The legislation must be brought into line with the standards of the Council of Europe and their functioning must be ensured. These steps can lead us to an environment where journalists can buy housing at their own expense.

Reference: The order to build a house for journalists was first issued by the President in 2010. According to the order, 5 million AZN was initially allocated to solve the housing problem of journalists. In 2013, 156 apartments in the house were donated to journalists. According to the 2013 report of the Fund of State Support for Development of Mass Media (FSSDMM), 22,396,316 AZN were spent on the construction of the commissioned building. That same year, the president signed an order to build a second building for journalists. Over two years, 34 million AZN was allocated for the construction of a 255-apartment building with three blocks. Later, this figure rose to 40 million. In 2017, 255 apartments in the house were handed over to journalists. For the construction of the third building, 5 million AZN was initially allocated from the President's reserve fund to the FSSDMM in 2017. There are 255 apartments in that house too. This year, 255 apartments are expected to be distributed to journalists.

On July 31, 2008, Ilham Aliyev signed an order on the establishment of the Fund of State Support for Development of Mass Media under the President. The charter of the foundation states that the main purpose of the organization is to develop freedom of speech and information, support the independence of the media, strengthen the social protection of journalists.

In 2010-2018, 32.4 million AZN was allocated from the state budget to the FSSDMM. If we add the funds allocated in 2019 and 2020, this amount is 40 million AZN.

Funds allocated to the FSSDMM by years