Journalists visited graves of their colleagues on National Press Day

Employees of the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS), Media Rights Institute, Turan news agency and Azadlig daily have visited the grave of Hasan bek Zardabi, founder of Azerbaijani press, Najaf Najafov, founder of modern independent press in Azerbaijan, Elmar Huseynov, Monitor magazine’s editor-in-chief, and the journalists who died in Karabakh on the occasion of National Press Day.

Mehman Aliyev, Director of Turan news agency, said that though the number of people supporting free media declines, freedom of media will win in the end. Speaking at Elmar Huseynov’s grave, he expressed hope that great changes will occur in the country soon. “While visiting graves of those who fought for freedom of media, we send a message to the publicity that struggle for free press and freedom of media goes on in Azerbaijan,” said Aliyev.

He believes that in the 1990s free media moved forward and really influenced public opinion and development of events. “Several years ago, dozens of “media captains” visited graves of journalists together with us on the Press Day, but now they visit other events.

It is hard to fight in these conditions, but it is an honor. There is nothing like freedom in the world, especially for creative people.  Neither key from apartment, nor other awards can replace it,” Aliyev said.

Seymur Hazi, columnist of Azadlig daily, said that words of great enlighteners of the end of the 1990s and early 2000s Zardabi and Mirza Alekper Sabir about freedom of speech and vital even today.

After Elmar Huseynov’s murder, some colleagues have entered into conspiracy with the authorities.

“The bargaining is over and now we again have some courageous journalists supporting free media,” Hazi said.

Emin Huseynov, IRFS Director, said at the grave of journalists who died in Karabakh said that the journalists fought not only for freedom of speech, but also for freedom of their Motherland. They have given their lives to inform people about the truth.

On Zardabi’s grave, the journalists have met his ancestors, who were displeased with the authorities’ attitude to the Zardabi heritage.

“Zardabi’s wife Gamida khanum, who was in charge of the Baku Female Lyceum, was buried close to her husband. However, the monument has not been installed on her grave yet. We also do not have Zardabi’s monument in Baku,” said Zardabi’s grandson Sattar Zardabi, who has been living in dormitory the past 30 years.—0—