Editor Arqument.az challenges the compliance of the Media Law with the Constitution in court

Baku/03.05.23/Turan:  Shamshad Agha, the head of Arqument.az, has taken legal action against the Azerbaijani law "On  Media," arguing that it is incompatible with the country's constitution.

In a 30-page appeal to the court, Agha questions whether the law, which he describes as "reactionary," will further limit the already restricted freedom of the media in Azerbaijan. 

He notes that the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has already criticized the law and deemed its existence in a Council of Europe member state unacceptable. 

Agha hopes that the Constitutional Court will recommend that the National Assembly bring the law into compliance with the constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, and Azerbaijan's international obligations. 

He argues that the law creates significant problems for independent journalists and, to a lesser extent, completely restricts their activities.

Agha calls on all journalists who value freedom of expression to appeal to the Constitutional Court, and he intends to escalate the issue to the international level if necessary. 

Government representatives have countered that the law complies with local and international legal norms, and the Media Agency has previously argued that the law creates conditions for the protection of media entities and journalists in emergency situations.