Domestic

Domestic

YAP holds conference on press and society

21 June 2007 13:10 (UTC +04:00)

Deputy YAP chairman, MP Ali Ahmadov stressed the normal conditions established in Azerbaijan for free press. He said some journalists prefer freedom of speech to human rights and libel.
Chairman of Press council Aflatun Amashov said the conference is the start of in the way of settling problems of press. Saying that there are facts of insulting peopleâ€™s dignity in press Aflatun Amashov said more than 7 thousand complaints were admitted by Press Council. Head of association of Azerbaijani journalists Elchin Shikhli offered to publish newspaper free of political parties influence. MP Ali Huseynov touched upon proposals on removing article on libeling from criminal Code. â€œIt covers not only journalists so it is not to be removedâ€.
Ganimat Zahid, chief editor of Azadlig newspaper five journalists were arrested after YAPâ€™s press conference on press held last year. He said these problems describe problems of society. â€œThe arrest of journalists in Azerbaijan should be rejected. We are brought before trial for our articles and punished but the facts of the Articles are not investigatedâ€.
Chief Editor of Yeni Musavat Azer Aykhan stressed the importable of releasing journalists. MP Fazail Aghamali called the newspapers operated by parties â€œshackle of free speechâ€. He supported approval of defamation lawâ€.
Baku Khabar newspaperâ€™s chief editor Aydin Guliyev offered to establish Consultative Board on press problems.
MP Gular Ahmadova offered to remove unskilled journalists from his field and reconsideration of laws on licensing of newspapers.
Chief of Adalat (Justice) Party, parliamentarian Ilyas Ismayilov said there is no need to eliminate the article on slander from the Criminal Code.
Member of the Press Council Gulu Maharramli underlined that he is optimistic of the mediaâ€™s future.
Chief of United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, parliamentarian Gudret Hasanguliyev said if the authorities and opposition have normal relations, it will have positive influence on the state of media.
Hasanguliyev offered to appeal to the president for pardoning imprisoned journalists on the eve of National Press Day.
Editor-in-chief of 525-ci gezet newspaper Rashad Majid underlined the necessity of adopting the law on defamation and spoke about some problems of the media.
Chief of Presidentâ€™s Office socio-political department Ali Hasanov said that some journalists have been arrested for insulting peopleâ€™s honor and dignity and slandering.
â€œWe are worried about their arrest. We want them to be released,â€ he said.
Ali Hasanov expressed his confidence that pardon decree will be signed for releasing the journalists. Commenting on eliminating the article on slander from the Criminal Code Hasanov said the article is not related to journalists only.
â€œPeople can also slander one another. Law on defamation will be adopted when journalists stop insulting. The law will be adopted one day. But media should first be ready for this,â€ he said. /APA/