Curators of Azerbaijani Media Operate with Communist Standards � Elchin Shikhly

Baku / 16.11.17 / Turan: The situation with freedom of the press in Azerbaijan is depressing, Elchin Shikhly, head of the Journalists Union of Azerbaijan, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Aina-Zerkalo said in an interview with Turan.

Answering the question how effectively the funds allocated by the state for the support of the media are used, he expressed doubts that these expenditures reach their goals.

For example, the head of the Press Council, Aflatun Amashev, says it is necessary to open a new channel for the propaganda of Azerbaijan, but many journalists say that despite the huge expenditure, there are no positive changes in the level of the Azerbaijani press, or their place on the international arena.

In his opinion, in the current state the local press is not able to adequately represent Azerbaijan in the world. "For professional journalism, they are just shut up. Critical voices are forced to hide. Today, those who are able to write and think, are outside of Azerbaijan and this is a tragedy," Shikhly said.

Speaking about the causes of the crisis of the media, he noted that the curators of the media in power still think in terms of the Communist Party. "These people do not even understand how far Azerbaijan is behind the progressive world. The problem is this. We closed ourselves and do not want to look around. And when we look, we say: "Germany is drowning, and America is in decline." Although everything is the opposite," Shikhly said.

He sees the way out of the situation in the return of those who have received education abroad to Azerbaijan, and in creating conditions for the realization of their potential. In his opinion, in the sphere of mass media there must be a change of generations. Otherwise, the future of the Azerbaijnani society is in question. "We are a step away from the abyss," Shikhly warned. -03B-