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Aflatun Amashov: 70% of Azerbaijani press engaged in racketeering

05 September 2007 14:59 (UTC +04:00)

- How would you characterize present state of Azerbaijani press?
- I do not agree to the opinions that there is no freedom of expression and media in Azerbaijan. Everybody in the country has the right to express his position. Journalism is a part of the society and develops simultaneously. Journalism developed in comparison with other spheres. Journalism is obliged to solve the problems of the society along with its own problems. But the journalism has more problems in connection with the transition period. It is actually connected with the development of the society, style of thinking and internal problems. Azerbaijani journalism can not yet fulfill its mission in the society. There are few independent media outlet in the country. Therefore, reality is not reflected rightly. It has its own causes. First of all, it is connected with the style of thinking, authorities-journalist relations, mediaâ€™s hard economic state and other problems. Azerbaijani journalists are the poorest class of the society. Internal factors also play role in this. Labor Code is neglected in the majority of editorial offices.
- It turns out that the state of media is very hard. I wonder, how much the Press Council is responsible for this situation.
- There are about 50 journalistic organizations in Azerbaijan, each of them has its own mission. About 200 newspapers, journals and information agencies founded Press Council. Press Council does not have to solve the mediaâ€™s problems directly, but to help remove problems between journalism and society, media and authorities. The Press Council has received 7,000 appeals up to now. They reflect dissatisfaction with the media. The Council is to solve these problems until the court. Press Council is established in those countries where media is free and has no great problems. After the Press Council was established in Azerbaijan, the number of court hearings and fines imposed on newspapers reduced. The mission of the majority of Azerbaijani media outlets is not to inform the society, but to serve its own interests. Our decisions which are only public reproach do not give effective results.
- Can the Press Council fulfill its mission?
- The Press Council is now engaged in quite different activities. It impedes the councilâ€™s normal activity. The Press Council should shoulder all burden of the media. Solving these problems is not in our competence. The Press Council can be the most active body in a short period of time by abusing others and making statement on state bodies. We do not like this way.
- Journalists consider that weak interference of the Press Council in the processes is connected with the weakness of its chiefâ€¦
- I said when I was chief of Ruh Journalistsâ€™ Rights Defense Committee that our main duty is to protect the journalistsâ€™ rights. An editor gets his employee beaten, and we discuss it. I said during the rallies that why a journalist poses before a camera. Later some of these journalists leave Azerbaijan. Press Councilâ€™s mission is to contribute to the development of press and protect citizens from reading non ethic articles. Heads of newspapers have paid any participation fee for four years.
- For exampleâ€¦
- Azadliq newspaper. Its editor-in-chief Ganimat Zahid was a member of Press Council, but never paid participation fee. They think that Press Council should be against the government, hold protests. These issues are out of power of the Council. I treat each journalist on the same. We do not want journalist to be arrested.
- Who is the elder of Azerbaijani press today?
- It is difficult to say that. Azerbaijani society has intellectual problem. There are some editors in journalism that are shouldering all burden.
- Are you satisfied with the governmentâ€™s attitude towards press?
- It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. In comparison to neighboring countries our government cares more about the press. It is not so easy to establish new press in most countries. Any individual can establish news agency in Azerbaijan. There is a liberal legislation on the press in the country. It shows governmentâ€™s attitude towards press. But there are also some problems. It is time to solve these problems as complex. We prepared program and strategy on the state contribution to the press and submitted it to the President. The documents are being studied right now.
- You say that the state of the press is not satisfactory. But it turns out that government does not have any responsibilityâ€¦
- The weakness of the press is due to the poor advertising market. If it expands the press will solve financial problems itself. The government should unambiguously be interested in the establishment of the independent press.
- Everybody expected that the program on the state care of the development of the press would be signed on Press Day. But it did not happenâ€¦
- We hoped that imprisoned journalists would be released on Press Day, some documents would be adopted regarding economic state of the press. As President was not in Azerbaijan the issue was delayed. Press council does it best. Government has always taken care of Azerbaijani press, I hope that the it will go on in future. We want press to be independent.
- How many journalists have been arrested for occupation in Azerbaijan?
- A journalist must not be arrested for his occupation. Some international organizations pressure on Azerbaijan concerning the legislation on defamation. International community has a negative opinion of Azerbaijan. But actually journalists do not observe professional behavior. They all have some misbehaving. But are these violations enough to arrest them? We have to think about it. We should try to achieve their pardoning without any discussions.
- What about the number of imprisoned journalistâ€¦
- International organizations say there are seven.
- Bizim yol newspaperâ€™s official Mushfig Huseynov is also accepted as an imprisoned journalist.
- No. It is not right to accept him as imprisoned journalist. That newspaperâ€™s position regarding that incident was quite right. I got information on that day. There was not anything extraordinary.
- Which journalists do violate professional ethics most?
- I can not say name by name. We will start monitoring of more than 100 newspapers. We will determine which newspapers and authors violate professional ethics and publicize their names. Most of Azerbaijani presses are involved in racketeering
There are daily newspapers among them. I do not want to make their names public now. Anyways our pressâ€™s image is not heartwarming. Nowadays 2/3 part of Azerbaijani press are engaged in racketeering. Law-enforcement agencies should combat against it. We are not satisfied how law-enforcement agencies fight in this sphere. . Authorities are obviously behind these newspapers and law-enforcement agencies are mostly afraid of authorities. 70% of Azerbaijani press is involved in racketeering, 20-25% are politicized, only 5% is independent.
- Establishment of Press Ombudsman is delayedâ€¦
- This institution was planned to be established within a year when a law on â€œFreedom of informationâ€ was adopted.
- When will the next congress of Azerbaijani journalists take place?
- It is time for the congress to be held. Management Board of the Council should make a decision on that. It is possible to hold the congress in autumn.
- Your term of office comes to an endâ€¦
- According to the statute, my tenure is about to expire. But we have just managed to form the Press Council. The Council has been provided with building lately. This issue will possibly be extended.
- Seems like you do not want to leave your postâ€¦
- It does not just depend upon my will. Some examinations have been carried out, some have to be do implemented. I wish Council were formed as an independent body.
- What are you going to do after you leave your post?
- I am a journalist, and I will always be near journalists. /APA/