The National Press Day

On  July 22, Azerbaijan marks  the National Press Day.  One hundred 39 years, on  July 22, 1875, an  educator Hasan bey Zardabi published the first newspaper in the country "Ekinchi" (Sower.)

At the end of 19^th and early 20^th centuries, a number of newspapers  became distributors of the national idea and freedom. Despite persecution by the tsarist authorities, and then the Communists, the  edition of  free media continued in neighboring countries.

In Soviet  times such publications as "Istiqlal", "Azeri Turk", "Yashyl ​​yarpag", "Odlu Yurdu", "Bildirish", "Yeni Kafkaziya" were  published in Turkey.

In the late 80s, a period of adjustment and weakening of the Soviet regime, free media edition revived in Azerbaijan . In 1989, December 24 the country legally began publishing the newspaper "Azadlig". Censorship in Azerbaijan was officially abolished in 1997.

Today Baku declares complete freedom of media, although on all indicators and ratings of international organizations, the country  ranks one of the last.

There are at least two cases of murders of journalists that have not been disclosed, customers and the perpetrators of these murders are not arrested.

Azerbaijan on the number of arrested bloggers and journalists  is among the top ten countries in the world, and in the OSCE area in the first place. Today 11 journalists and bloggers are under arrest in the country. Economic conditions for the development of the media business in Azerbaijan  are extremely heavy.

Authorities control the advertising market and do not allow independent media there.

Every year millions of manats spent to subsidize pro-government media, pay grants, salaries and purchase of equipment. All this is reminiscent of Soviet-style government, where the press was completely dependent on the authorities, and always has  always been  completely loyal to  the government. -03B04-