The representative of the President: society and journalists are not ready to accept the law of defamation

"From traditional media to on-line media" was the theme of an international conference held Tuesday in the Park Inn hotel. The meeting was organized within the framework of the EU and the Council of Europe project to support media, in partnership with the Press Council, the OSCE Baku office and the British Embassy.

   The participants discussed the international standards of on-line media, the legal framework, the possibilities of social media and social networks.  "Azerbaijani media have online versions and are readers of audio and video," said the chairman of the Press Council, Aflatun Amashov.

   At present, 40 daily and 200 weekly newspapers are published in the country, there are 9 national  broadcasting and 14 regional channels; 35% of the population uses broadband connection. 

    There are 20 Internet-broadcast companies.

     According to unofficial reports, Azerbaijan has about one million users of Facebook and bloggers in 2000. During the day about one million people get their information from on-line media, said Amashov.

     International experts have emphasized the role of on-line media in the development of fundamental freedoms. At the same time they gave a positive assessment on the dialogue between the presidential administration, NGOs and the media, which began recently. 

   " The dialogue between the presidential administration, the civil society and media is very important. This conference can be considered as a continuation of the dialogue. We support this process," said the Head of OSCE Office in Baku, Koray Targay.

   "Restrictions on freedom of expression and media are inadmissible. Internet and on-line systems have changed the climate  of  media, and created some threats. Nevertheless, the traditional press, and on-line media increase the freedom of expression," said the political adviser  for EU mission in Baku, Andrew Valentine.

    British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Peter Bateman, said that the Internet eliminates borders  and brings people together around general ideas.  Deputy head of the socio-political department of the presidential administration of Azerbaijan, Arastun Mehdiyev, noted that official Baku continues to support on-line media, because they do not represent the future of the country without a free and professional media.  However, Mehdiyev could not give a clear answer to the question when the law on defamation, will be adopted. Confirming that they have received such bills, he noted that at the present time, neither society nor journalists are prepared to accept the law of defamation.

    * The project of the European Union and the Council of Europe: “Joint Project on Promoting freedom, professionalism and pluralism of the media in the South Caucasus and Moldova” is intended for two years  (2010-2012 ), and covers Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova. -03C-