Baku is not happy with the conclusion of the Venice Commission on the new Media Law

Baku/21.06.22/Turan: The Media Development Agency (MEDIA) of Azerbaijan criticized the conclusion of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe regarding the Azerbaijani media law. The Agency's commentary expressed disagreement with the conclusions of the Commission.

In particular, the Agency claims that the bill was discussed "repeatedly" with the participation of media representatives and experts from different segments of society.

The law aims to protect the professional activities of journalists "not only within the country, but also abroad."

The Agency maintains that the law does not exclude the establishment and financing of mass media by foreign persons, but determines the share of their participation in the authorized capital.

It is also argued that the registration of print and online media is declarative, which should not be identified with the licensing procedure.

The inclusion of journalists in the register is voluntary. The application of any restrictions against journalists not included in the register is not provided.

In addition, the Agency points out that the ban on the dissemination of information about criminal offenses applies only to the preliminary investigation.

The agency regrets that some media outlets biasedly covered the conclusion of the Venice Commission in order to "confuse public opinion", which is a biased attitude towards reforms in Azerbaijan.

In turn, the Audiovisual Council of Azerbaijan, in its commentary, emphasizes that licensing concerns broadcasting through frequencies. Internet broadcasting platforms and platform operators (including cable broadcasters) will be granted licenses without competition.

The the Audiovisual Council also rejected criticism of giving it broad powers to revoke licenses, noting that subjects would have the right to complain to the courts anyway.

It should be noted that the official press release of the Council of Europe regarding the conclusion of the VC clearly emphasizes that “many provisions of the law on media in Azerbaijan do not meet European standards of freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and therefore the Law should not be applied in its current form.” --06B--