If you sing that all others sing, why�s journalism for you, go and sign up into chorus

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- Arif bey, after long years the Baku Press Club has got down into its activity. What has changed to urge you start activity again?

-The right answer to your question is that the BPC has revived public"s hopes. Don"t you feel a breath of fresh air in the public life after long years of stagnation? Also, logic of authorities" activity is different from previous times, and, in turn, opposition actions are more animated than before.

A February statement of the head of the state called for alterations in the foreign policy; a March statement called for alterations in the domestic policy; an April statement - for alterations in civic activity and watch in the country. Some of these calls became known for the first time. Media bodies that ceased their activity under pressures of the authorities recommenced slowly and pluralism and elements of criticism reappeared in the public TV.

However, it ought to be noted that the process is advancing very weakly. Serious obstacles arise from inertia, on the one hand, and resistance; on the other hand; third, from habit and skills deficiency; fourth, from hostile sentiments in society. Note that the Press Club has been intended to give impetus to positive changes in media and reforms on this track.

However, we slightly changed our previous strategy. Thus, at first stage a focus will be laid on consolidation of ties with our journalists abroad, diaspora press to unify their potential. The mentioned strategy has its own profound logic; however, if I start explaining my thought, I"ll wander off from your question.

- What caused a long interval in Press Club activity?

-It should be noted that the journalist organization fuels mass media and vice versa. Since 2000s independent mass media came apart at the seams equally with their economic basis. These processes impacted the Prtess Club as well. Where your bearing support become carious, it is impossible to hold out long. Medium tended to get narrower, and there was no place for journalist solidarity, professionalism, corporate organizations like the Press Club based on principles of professional ethics. There is a well-known saying "If the path leads you to no temple, why is this path". Where mass media is not independent, why is the Press Club? In general, this question is linked with your previous question ...

- Perhaps, it is linked but calls for particularities. What"s happened, why did you decide to freeze your activity?

- In fact, we made no decision, we were forced to do that. Founders of the Press Club in 1998 were "Yeni Nesil", ANS, "Zerkalo", "Turan", "Azadlyg", "Halg gazeti". We meant to reflect all out media colors in the Press Club. Start proved to be rather high, and soon after we were warned by the Presidential apparatus which sought to split us internally. It was ANS that capitulated first as saying, let"s go off, otherwise we shall face greater difficulties, the upper say. So the club turned into a cradle of opposition.

One must bear in mind that official "Halg gazeti" survived while ANS ceased. True, Mahal Ismailogly later stated that he was strongly pressured: either Press Club or resignation. He said he would leave the Press Club but asked not to declare about it officially. Soon after he noted that the issue was settled. A mass media-related meeting was held at the apparatus where Heydar Aliyev asked, Mahal, I see a name of the Press Club everywhere, why aren"t you mentioned at all? I replied that I was one of the founders; however, the apparatus insisted, and I had to write a letter of dismissal from the Press Club. He got nervous as saying that a question would be considered but you should take your letter of dismissal back. After that pressures weakened, and another tactics was chosen: an International Press Club was set up. All controllable organizations, mass media and NGOs were ordered not to attend the Press Club but hold all activities at the International Press Club.

All pressures notwithstanding, we did withstand. It was the Baku OSCE Office that administered the coup de grace. Azerbaijani mass media had already been in crisis. It was not difficult in 1998 to allocate $ 3,000-5,000 for Press Club needs. However, in 6-7 years most club members barely made ends meet. We used grants to come across with a rent.

Once, in the end of the year an OSCE Ambassador visited the Press Club in Baku. He assured us that no rent problems would arise next year: OSCE would allocate $ 27, 000 for rent and space repair. However, a new financial year started, and they declared that we needed no new building, we render you $ 5,000 worth aid, so you can hold your activities at the IPC. It was natural that we turned town this proposal. Even worse, an owner of the building said he raised rent cost; so if we disagree, no new contract will be concluded. In other words, the Press Club proved to be incapable of continuing its activity. That"s the whole story.

- Why did you decide to continue your activity not as previous Press Club but in online format? What prevents you from carrying out your activity as before?

- It"s all about lessons of the past, current conditions and financial capacities. Who knows what the future holds.

- What"s your purpose? What are you going to do?

- All these are shown in appropriate sections of Pressklub.az site in out address on the eve of opening. We are seeking to revive the Azerbaijani media through world practice experience, particularly, potential of Azerbaijani journalists abroad. We intend to create patterns of new content for domestic audience, try to intensify interactivity, public activity and control, pay a special attention to media connections of Azerbaijan with the international community.

- Azerbaijan is dead last in the matter of media freedom. Note that mass media and journalist are running through hard trials and hardships. There are no practically independent mass media. You have also lived through hard dangers and trials. With hard life experience, have you estimated all risks you may face in future?

- From "technical standpoint" it is not difficult for Azerbaijan to leave the ultimate place in the list. For this to happen, it is necessary to open prison doors and withdraw absurd constraints out of 5-10 laws. The point is that exactly these constraints provide the lowest scores to our country. In this case we shall witness a true reason of our country"s mentioning in the notorious list - Armenian propaganda or results of actions of our functionaries and politicians. But what to do, what approaches are to be used for improvement of the situation in the country?

It is worth pointing out that all nations, world governments are engaged in resolving similar issues. They are different and divided into categories by methods of solution of these issues. Used in Azerbaijan as methods are prisons, truncheons, hatred language, beating, intimidation and bribery. For years the government is minded to see mass media as sources of potential threat, not as partners. Accordingly, the government hears back in-kind response. Until approaches of this sort are changed, nobody can feel safe, including us. Otherwise Azerbaijan will be mentioned in the notch of the notorious index. Note that world mass media gazes at us with astonishment (if they catch our eye at all).

It should be remembered that heated discussions are underway in international journalism around "new media technologies and business models". Characterizing themselves as "media captains", having no idea of business model, they in Azerbaijan are wrestling with a dilemma when "insults and racket" will be brought an end. It"ll never happen in Azerbaijan in terms of above approach and thinking, I"m sure. Neither stream of abuse", nor racket are "biological children" of mediaмедиа, these are "bastards" flung into arms of mass media. When adjusted for danger in such an environment, it is essential to look for like-minded persons, rely on them.

- One of the ways to insure against these risks is not to get out of power-authorized line; another way is to feel strong hand on your shoulder. I you don"t mind my asking, what of ways cited above you have chosen? If none, do you have an alternative way to get secured against risks?

- All you have stated above is not necessarily insurance. "Political framework" is rather conditional notion. There are serious distinctions between top officials. For example, suffice it to compare TV channels - Public TV, "Space", "Lider", "Hazar", to see them illustrated. If the authorities throw no spanner in your work, this is support as well. On the other hand, a strong hand that raised you to the heavens, may as well throw you down, according to Hans Christian Andersen. Even the public opinion is not a backbone in itself, for it"s too slippery.

World famous politician Churchill used to say that the best argument against democracy is a 5 minute talk with an ordinary voter. The right way is to rely on principles and remain loyal thereto. It is essential to collaborate with parties whose views are principally successive and capable of influencing reform processes, in the first turn, civilized changes in social relations.

For us the essential point to remember are professional regulations based on journalism and human morality requirements. No matter if you remain in minority. If you sing that all others sing, why"s journalism for you, go and sign up into chorus. In this case you can say that you are insured.

- Sudden emergence of the Press Club caught the interest of many people. That mainly goes to your financial sources. Other people associate restoration of your activity with authoritative wing of the power. What"s your opinion? Is there a grain of truth in these allegations?

- It is not strange that main attention is not focused on purposes and goals of the organization but on financial sources only. Men of wisdom say that whatever they speak about, it"s all about money, particularly, in Azerbaijan. Years long ugly public relations have mentally bludgeoned nation where all of us look with trustless eye on each other.

We are delighted with charitable activity of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev. We hold that there are no persons like him. Why? Because either authorities or some people squeeze dry or give a coronary to persons like Haji. First, amount of official taxes levied on me in the last month would be enough to maintain a site for half a year. Second, my friends and associates helped me always and do it today. Assistance is still rendered to create a site, maintain servers, space rent, etc. Third, aid from representatives of our diaspora and journalists abroad is of particular importance, and I hope their efforts will increase on this track. I do not mean direct finance transfers only: these include organization of trips, distribution of materials, technical maintenance. Fourth, from the very first days of its activity the Press Club began earning money. In particular, it renders services in creating journalist network, implementation of monitoring, analysis, researches and information technologies. Our partners include public bodies, Azerbaijani organizations abroad, and international and local media structures.

It has to be kept in mind that it is very important to diversify financial sources and thus ensure organization"s sustainability. We are still in need of financial support. Look, the whole Press Club consists of virtual resources and two rooms. We cannot have halls as is in big buildings. That"s why we are ready to collaborate with those willing to help us, order services and allocate grants. There are lots of those concerned from outside to demand financial documents. This notwithstanding, to attain our targeted aims we are ready to take a helping hand.