Azerbaijan
Difficult professional and economic conditions, especially for print media, challenge the media sector in Azerbaijan. A variety of media organizations and media outlets exist, however only a few independent newspapers manage to publish newspapers of limited circulation. The national broadcast media are better developed, with more advertisement funds available as most Azeris rely on television for information and entertainment. IMS is working to support the media sector in Azerbaijan by strengthening the professionalism, as well as providing a platform for cross-sectoral media development.Archive
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Azerbaijani government promises change for media
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The promise of a free and professional media environment by Azerbaijani government officials has cleared news headlines in Azerbaijan. Gulnara Akhundova of the Azerbaijan Media Centre reports from Baku
By Gulnara Akhundova
Government promises of a free and professional media in future resonated well with the media present at the World Association of Newspapers and News Publisherd (WAN) press conference held at the IMS-supported Azerbaijan Media Centre on 24 September. The statements were made by the Azerbaijani Head of the Public Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Mr. Ali Hasanov and aired publicly for the first time in front of the media itself.
An end to state-run media
- Ali Hasanov told me that serious changes are expected in Azerbaijani media in the next few years, said Timothy Balding, co-CEO of WAN-IFRA.
- Defamation will be decriminalized, state-run media will be closed, the advertising market will be strengthened and a big effort will be made to increase professionalism in media, he said.
- I do hope none of you will be jobless in the next few years, Mr. Balding said jokingly, addressing Azerbaijani journalists at the Media Center. His comment was in reference to Ali Hasanov’s statement on the possible closure of state-run media.
Shortlived excitement about news of change
Meanwhile excitement about the upcoming end of state-run media was short-lived. Following the news conference, Ali Hasanov made an official statement where he denied ever saying that state-run newspapers would be closed.
According to the state official, he had told the Head of WAN that Azerbaijani media was currently split into different political camps where independent and opposition newspapers did not publish official government news, decrees and laws.
- In future, if independent media spread the news about the government’s activities and decisions there will be no need for state-run media”, Hasanov declared.
Government not part of the problem, says Azerbaijani official
In Azerbaijan, where there are a dozen state-run media outlets including two broadcasting channels and a few print outlets, freedom of expression is always a subject of consideration for the international community and human rights defenders. Five editors, journalists and bloggers remain in prison; their future unclear.
- Government is not part of the problem, Hasanov said. According to the WAN-IFRA leadership, Hasanov said that Azerbaijani journalists were far more critical of government than their colleagues in most European countries.
Drastic reforms required
The WAN-IFRA press release, however, voiced a different message.
- We observe a handful of non-governmental media trying to survive in a pervasive climate of intimidation and fear, financially crippled and with insignificant audiences. Drastic reforms are clearly required, said the WAN IFRA-distributed press release.
Mr. Balding rounded up the news conference stressing that WAN–IFRA, in partnership with the Azerbaijan Media Center and other locally based media organizations wouldl explore possibilities to provide technical assistance to strengthen media professionalism in Azerbaijan.
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