STP Calls on Authorities to Stop Pressure on Newspaper Azadlig
Civil Society Platform (STP) urged the Azerbaijani authorities to stop the pressure on the independent newspaper Azadlig and to settle the debt by mutual settlements between the two state agencies - the publishing house Azerbaijan and the distribution company Gasid.
As is known, the newspaper owes 20,000 AZN to the publisher and Gasid’s debt to the newspaper reaches 70,000 AZN.
The Platform’s statement of February 25 noted that the debt problem can be solved exactly in this way, and otherwise, the government agencies’ actions will be regarded as an encroachment on freedom of speech and pressure on the press.
The statement pointed out that Azadlig, which was established in 1989 as the first independent newspaper in the country, is subject to regular harassment for its critical publications. The publishing house Azerbaijan once again threatens to stop the publication of the newspaper and have increased by 25% the cost of its services in the conditions of depreciation of manat twice.
Azadlig, as well as other newspapers, is deprived of freedom of distribution of its products. The market for sales of periodicals is monopolized by the state, while the sale in the subway and on the streets is banned.
The pursuit of Azadlig occurs in a large-scale pressure on the media and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. It is significant that today there are 15 jailed journalists and bloggers in Azerbaijan. Kidnapping, illegal arrests, interrogations and intimidation of journalists by law enforcement officials is commonplace.
The activity of Radio Azadlig, Objective TV and Meydan TV has been restricted fully or partly.
* Civil Society Platform has been established by representatives of civil society to promote political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan with the aim of transition from authoritarianism to democracy. -0-
-
- Economics
- 26 February 2016 15:57
-
- Photo sessions
- 26 February 2016 16:48
Social
-
For more than three decades, the Turan News Agency has been a pillar of independent journalism in Azerbaijan, providing objective and reliable reporting amid political and economic instability. Founded in 1990, in the final days of the Soviet Union, we have endured the challenges of transition, war, and reform while remaining committed to journalism that serves the public interest.
-
It will be cloudy and rainy in Baku and Absheron on 14 February. Wind will be north-west, gusty. Air temperature at night +2+4, during the day + 5+7. Humidity 75-85%.
-
At the "Julfa" customs post of the Nakhchivan customs, during an inspection of a truck from Iran that was transiting to Türkiye, 101.4 kg of methamphetamine was found in the fuel tank and heating system tank.
-
This year, 22,000 foreign language teachers and an additional 4,000 teachers who were unable to pass certification last year will be involved in the certification process, the director of the state agency for preschool and general education, Eshgi Bagirov, announced on February 12. According to him, of the 65,000 teachers involved in the certification, 55,000 passed successfully and received salary supplements. At the same time, employment contracts were terminated with 5,000 teachers who did not pass the certification.
Leave a review