European Parliament hosts seminar “The Situation of the News Media in Russia and the Eastern Partnership Countries†- PHOTO

Head of Media Services and Monitoring Unit of the European Parliament Yannis Darmis delivered an opening speech at the two-day seminar, which has started today. He informed about the main point of the seminar and said that they aimed to hold discussions on the situation of free media. Not only Russia and the Eastern Partnership countries, but also the European Union have to speak about the situation of media and to share the experiencesâ€, said Darmis.
Head of Russia, Eastern Partnership and Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Unit of the European Union Sabina Mazzi-Zissis focused on freedom of media in the post-soviet countries, development of news media and freedom of expression.
Then Director General for Communication of the European Parliament Juana Lahousse-Juarez addressed the seminar. She said such events aimed to discuss the situation of the media in the Eastern Partnership countries, to achieve sharing experiences and to search ways of solution of these issues. “We will discuss the problems preventing the development of the media and the role of media in the development of civil and democratic society.â€
In the official opening, Anni Podimata, European Parliament Vice-President responsible for Communication and Information Policy, underlined the important role of the values of free media in establishing democratic and stabile world. “The freedom of speech and development of the media in Europe, Russia and the Eastern Partnership countries is among the priorities of the European Parliament. The question is not only about the media problems in those countries. Europe also faces the problems with freedom of expression. Hungary could be an example for that. There were problems with the mechanism of the government’s control over the media in Hungary. After the interference of the European Commission, they withdrew a legislative initiative on it.â€
She spoke about the regular problems between former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and media in Italy. According to Podimata, Europe also regularly faces the serious problems in the field of the freedom of media and the media organizations issue reports on it. “But the situation is more difficult in the post-soviet countriesâ€. She said that this problem was addressed not only by the media representatives. “The parliamentarians participating in the Euronest PA established by EU within the framework of the Eastern Partnership also hold permanent discussions of the development of free media and freedom of expressionâ€.
Anni Podimata said EU was very interested in the stability of the countries. “EU wants its partners to be stabile and one of the main values of the stability is a democratic and civil society, which can not be established without ensuring basic human rights. Media can be a major player in this sphereâ€.
Director General for Communication of the European Commission Gregory Paulger also delivered a speech during the official opening. He said that free media was a column of the stabile, democratic and tolerant society. He spoke about the pressure on journalists in Russia, blackmail against journalist Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan, violence against the journalist in Belarus.
Paulger noted that interference in freedom of speech, problems with obtaining information are observed in all countries, including European. For example, Hungary had plans to establish the government’s control over the media, but after the interference of the European Commission they withdrew this legislative initiative.
Paulger touched upon the new internet media as well. He said that one of the reasons caused the Arab Spring was the development of internet media and limitlessness of the freedom of media in those countries. “Rise of internet develops journalism as well. EU countries are interested in the freedom of media and existence of civil society in the Eastern Partnership countries within the framework of the neighborhood policy. In 2012, EU allocated 26 million euro for the development of civil society institutions in the partner countries. EU countries welcome the participation of the Eastern Partnership countries in the discussions on the freedom of mediaâ€.
Journalists from the EU, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and other countries are attending the seminar. They will share views on free speech, media freedom, democracy and human rights and also hold discussions on EU institutions’ communication tools, the situation of media freedom in the Eastern Partnership countries and Russia.
Media

Hikmət Hajiyev meets with media leaders

Media representatives of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan explore prospects for cooperation

Audiovisual Council: Sign language will only be applied to four TV channels

Panel session titled “Sustainable Solutions in Transport Infrastructure in the Media Landscape” was held-PHOTO
NEWS FEED
Azerbaijan reduces excise duty rate for gasoline and diesel
Caucasus Muslims Office to issue fatwa on Eid al-Adha
Netanyahu orders increased security at Israeli diplomatic missions
Council of Elders of CMO holding meeting on restoration of activities of Yerevan qadi
Baku Steel Company for clean future: sustainability and efficiency
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expresses condolences to Israel
Bitcoin price today: at record high above $111k on regulatory cheer, ETF inflows
Deputy Chairman of BSE: We are working on market integration with Kazakhstan Stock Exchange
Oil prices little changed as surprise US inventory builds cap gains
Natural gas prices drop on NYMEX commodity exchange
Accident occurs during military ship launch in North Korea
Gold prices rise again in commodity markets
Azerbaijani oil price increased
6.1-magnitude earthquake jolts Greek islands
Explosions occurred in Kyiv
Earthquake strikes Caspian Sea
Suspect detained in Washington over killing of two Israeli embassy employees-UPDATED
Israel announces neutralization of third Hezbollah terrorist in Lebanon in past 24 hours
Media: Europe does not believe that US will stop supplying weapons to Kyiv
Moscow Mayor: UAVs heading towards the capital destroyed
Trump calls Israeli embassy shooting an "anti-Semitic attack"
Azerbaijan, UAE Top diplomats hold phone talk
XRP price may hit $4 as Bitcoin price smashes new ATH: Forecast
Ford accuses law firms of fraudulent overbilling, including a 57-1/2 hour workday
Apple stock falls amid OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup
UN agency appeals for urgent support to meet humanitarian needs of displaced people in Ethiopia
Ukraine pitches tougher Russia sanctions plan to EU as US wavers
Technical talks between Russia, Ukraine may be held in Vatican next week — Stubb
Iran remains serious threat to Israel — Netanyahu
Italy expects NATO to raise defence spending target to between 3.5% and 5% of GDP
Ukrainian FM to embark on a visit to Azerbaijan
Tottenham defeat Manchester United to clinch Europa League title
US leader stirs backlash with comments on Russia and G7
Trump nominates Darryl Nirenberg as new US ambassador to Romania
Finland completes first 35 km of fence on Russian border
Israeli PM says ready for Gaza 'temporary ceasefire' to free hostages
FIFA President congratulates Azerbaijan’s Qarabagh FC
Italian delegation visits Azerbaijan National Defense University and Naval Force-VIDEO
US-Ukraine minerals deal doesn’t stipulate for military guarantees — Rubio
Fifth round of Iran-US talks to take place in Rome on May 23 — top Omani diplomat
Classifying Taliban as ‘foreign terrorist organization’ under review: US
President Ilham Aliyev concluded working visit to Hungary
Delegation led by COP29 Chief Negotiator Yalçın Rafiyev participated in Climate Week in Panama
In call with NATO chief, Ukrainian leader says pressure needed on Russia
Ramaphosa brings Trump gift of a large golf book
South African president arrives at White House
UK pledges over $5 million in aid to Gaza
US Secretary of State: Our main focus is on establishing peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Budapest hosted Informal Summit of Heads of State of Organization of Turkic States-UPDATED -3 -PHOTO
US aims to deport 8 serious criminals, Trump official says, won't confirm South Sudan destination