Ali Hasanov: there is no development without press freedom

On July 22, the Day of National Press authorities held an event  but did not invite the representatives of the independent and opposition press. Speaking at the event, Ali Hasanov  the assistant of the president, assured that Azerbaijan has created all the conditions for the free activity of independent media. According to him, Azerbaijan has no prospects for development without media freedom and pluralism of opinions.

As evidence, he said that in recent years the authorities have allocated for the needs of the media 50 million AZN. In addition, media bodies have repeatedly been provided lump sum financial assistance, and  their debts were written off; a house was built for journalists, and o another one is under construction.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan  ranks one of the last in all international rankings of press freedom. The country is a leader on the number of arrested journalists and bloggers in Europe. Legislation of the country  in the press area is considered to be reactionary and was changed several times in the direction of tightening.

The country has no independent pluralistic television and radio channels, and freedom of expression on the Internet and social networks often results in harassment of bloggers by the special services. -02D-