Newspaper Azadlig received the award Freedom of Expression 2014 from Index on Censorship
The newspaper Azadlig has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Awards 2014 by the international human rights organization Index on Censorship. During the March 20 ceremony in London the award was presented to the Acting Chief Editor of Azadlig, Rahim Hajiyev.
The official report Index on Censorship emphasized that the newspaper Azadlig is one of the few media of Azerbaijan, which managed to maintain their independence.
It is emphasized that in the harsh repression of critical voices in Azerbaijan, the newspaper continues to publish information about the " corruption, nepotism, financial irregularities in the government and the ruling elite of Azerbaijan."
New attacks on the newspaper Azadlig began immediately after the presidential elections in 2013, when its bank accounts were arrested in connection with the revision of defamatory claims against it from the owner of the mall Bina, Kabirah Mamedova, and the then chief of the Baku Metro, Taghi Ahmedov, totaling 65 thousand manats.
At the same time, the state press distribution company Gasid does not pay the newspaper the proceeds from the sale of its copies, totaling more than 70 thousand manats.
" The main mission of our newspaper is the truth. And this is the reason of constant pressure and attacks on the newspaper Azadlig," said Hajiyev during the ceremony.
He recalled that in 2006 the newspaper was evicted from its office in the center of Baku and at the same time there was a wave of repression against the newspaper. Two employees, including the chief editor, were arrested. The paper's employees are subjected to a series of physical attacks, including two people stabbed.
Late last year, with 9 million IP addresses was attacked the online version of the newspaper and the site for a while was incapacitated.
As Hajiyev noted, despite the circulation of only 8 thousand copies, the newspaper has a strong influence on public opinion and " the government is very concerned about it."
The award Freedom of Expression from the human rights organization Index on Censorship has been awarded since 1972.
In 2010, this award was given to the director of the Media Rights Institute Rashid Hajili and in 2012 - to the journalist Idrak Abbasov. -06D -
Politics
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
-
By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
-
On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
-
Azerbaijan will limit 'Sputnik Azerbaijan' and 'BBC News Azərbaycanca' editorial offices. This was reported by the country's pro-government media on 13 February, citing an informed source.
Leave a review