"Public Chamber" Calls to Support the Opposition Press

The Free Press of Azerbaijan is in danger and democratic forces should consolidate to protect it. This was the leitmotif of the hearings organized by the "Public Chamber" on April 17 at the headquarters of "Musavat" party.

The participants noted that in recent years the ruling regime is trying to eliminate free media by all possible means. 

The authorities are creating problems for street sale of newspapers, the state press distribution company, "Gasid", do not issue money from sales to it’s editors.  

The head of the Popular Front Party, Ali Kerimli, said the newspapers "Azadlig" and "Yeni Musavat" are under particular pressure.

Due to the claims of officials-oligarchs, large monetary sanctions were imposed on the newspapers recently. The bank account of "Azadlig" newspaper was suspended for several days. A similar fate awaits the "Yeni Musavat" newspaper.

However, this is not the only problem for the existence of free press; this is a problem for society as a whole. Attacks on the newspapers intensified after publications disclosing the ruling family’s offshore business. Authorities want to hide their crimes from the people. Along with revelations of lawlessness, government pressure on opposition newspapers is enhanced.

According to Kerimli, on today’s agenda, society is the question; would it be possible to rescue the free press?

Acting chief editor of the newspaper "Azadlig", Rahim Hajiyev, said that the editorial office has to operate under extreme conditions. He noted the decision to suspend the bank account was enforced a day after a publication on the offshore business of Ilham Aliyev’s family.

The courts have imposed on "Azadlig" a 62,000 manat fine. "We are acting selflessly for a long time, but it also has its limits. So, we wait for support from the public. We protect the interests of the people, and now we need the support of the people," said Hajiyev.

In turn, the chief editor of the newspaper "Yeni Musavat", Rauf Arifoglu, said that 12 lawsuits have been filed against the newspaper, and on these claims the newspaper has to pay a fine of three million manat.

The leader of the party "Musavat", Isa Gambar, said it is necessary to preserve these newspapers. He suggested to seek help from journalists' organizations, as well as from the representatives of small and medium-sized businesses.

He also noted the need for the intervention by the international community to protect the newspapers "Azadlig" and "Yeni Musavat".

Following the discussions, it was decided to appeal to the people and the community to provide material and moral support for the newspapers.—05C06--