Censorship in Media to Be Strengthened by Legislation

Baku / 18.04.18 / Turan: The Azerbaijani Parliament is preparing to amend the legislation on the media. The package of changes was discussed at today's meeting of the Culture Committee of Milli Majlis, the press service of the Parliament reports.

According to the information, it is proposed to amend the article of the law On Mass Media, where it is said about inadmissibility of censorship. In the existing version of the text it is said that the state censorship over the media is prohibited. The exception is two points: in case of emergency and during operations against religious extremism.

The proposed changes will expand this framework. So, after their adoption, media materials will be subject to military censorship during military operations.

In addition, a special mode of operation will be applied to the media in the territory where the martial law will be declared.

Similar changes are proposed to be introduced into the law On Television and Radio Broadcasting.

Changes are also proposed in the law On Public Television and Radio Broadcasting, but they are not connected with censorship, and have to do with advertising conditions.

The Parliamentary Committee for Culture approved the proposed changes and sent them to the plenary session for consideration. --- 0-