Azerbaijan celebrates Press Day

Press Day is celebrated in Azerbaijan on July 22. On this day in 1875, the first newspaper in Azerbaijan "Akinçi" ("Sower") was published. 

According to some experts, the state of the modern Azerbaijani press is unsatisfactory. In recent years, dozens of journalists have been arrested, many newspapers have been closed, and several independent and opposition websites have been blocked.

Azerbaijan ranks 167th out of 180 countries in the media freedom rating published by the international non-governmental organization Reporters without Borders. Officials claim that the media in Azerbaijan are free and there are no obstacles to their activities.

What is the state of the media in Azerbaijan this year?

The MP Sadagat Veliyeva told Turan that the development of information technologies in our time has made the Azerbaijani media a part of the global information network. “Today in our country there are more than 5 thousand media structures. It is no coincidence that supporting the development of national media is one of the priorities of state policy,” she says.

According to her, the focus of President Ilham Aliyev is the development of the media in Azerbaijan and the improvement of social conditions for journalists. “The provision of one-time assistance to the media on the basis of presidential decrees, the implementation of measures to strengthen the social protection of journalists, as well as the conferment of honorary titles for services in the development of the national press, as well as the construction of residential buildings for journalists is an indicator of care for journalists,” she said.

She noted that today the press, which is often called the fourth estate, contributes to the transparency of many processes in Azerbaijan and the improvement of the activities of the three "classical" branches of government. “Human rights, political pluralism, the existence of civil society in Azerbaijan are confirmed by the activities formed as a democratic institution, independent media and legal guarantees created for their development. At the same time, the national press proves that it is the bearer of the mission of a free and democratic press, respect for the aspirations and statements of the people, and promptly informs people through updated information media, ideas of pluralism and tolerance.

According to Veliyeva, the presentation of the “Friend of Journalists” award to the country's leadership is the embodiment of the openness of the Azerbaijani government to the press, as well as close attention paid to the development of the industry. “Great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev have always paid close attention to the development of the media. Regular meetings with journalists as well as institutional initiatives have led to sustainable media development.

She stressed that it is impossible to overestimate the role of the press and the activities of journalists in bringing the truth about Azerbaijan to the world community during the 44-day war and in the post-war period.

Media expert Khalid Agaliyev told that Azerbaijan had been in a state of war for half a year. “For more than six months, there has not been a single major event in the media that could be assessed. For several years, there have been certain expectations that radical changes will take place and that steps will be taken to create an enabling environment for freedom of media. However, these expectations have not come true yet. "

According to the expert, there is no strategy for building the future media. “There is no one who has clearly demonstrated their determination to develop and implement such a strategy.”

In his opinion, in this context, the discussion of media legislation deserves attention. “At least this media issue is on the agenda. There are circles that are concerned about this situation; there are opinions and calls aimed at improving the situation. Will such opinions and calls be taken into account?  However, it is already clear that nothing worthwhile can be built without such appeals."

Agaliyev noted that the results of last year do not give grounds to look with optimism into the near future. He stressed that it is difficult to talk about positive changes if journalists are still persecuted for libel, imprisoned, denied access to information, if laws protecting journalists and the media are not working, and if almost all media are dependent on government funding.

According to the expert, there have been significant external changes. “An agency has been created; changes have been made to the broadcasting regulator. However, such changes did not go beyond the external changes, like changing the cover. These changes do not affect the media environment, which should be free. They are individual in nature - perhaps those who in the days of the previous managers had fewer opportunities will now receive more of them.

Agaliyev noted that over the past year more than 20 journalists have been prosecuted for libel and insult. “Access to information is also problematic. Local courts do not provide adequate legal support to journalists who have not received a response to their inquiries. Journalists collecting information on public events still feel insecure. In one year, there have been more than 25 incidents against journalists”.-0-