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The most part of opposition newspapers closed down, TV channels being controlled
http://www.pastinfo.am/en/the-most-part-of-opposition-newspapers-closed-down-tv-channels-being-controlled
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 18:21
Analytics
The `7th International Conference on web management' took place in the
capital of Azerbaijan on November 6-9 with the participation of 1000
participants from 100 countries. The main topics of discussion were
related to the development of the sphere, security and web
accessibility issues.
One of them was connected with the issues of freedom of speech and
innovation, as well as preservation of civil journalism in the modern
world.
So we have a statement made by an international organization
protecting the freedom of media `Journalists beyond borders' that was
made almost simultaneously with the forum. `The most part of
opposition newspapers were closed down in Azerbaijan. The Radio-TV
broadcasting is controlled by the authorities'.
The struggle of opposition newspapers against the authorities has a
long history. The Chief Editor of the `Azadlig' newspaper Ganimad
Zakhidov notes when talking about the state controlled by the Aliyev
regime, that `Azerbaijan is known as an authoritarian state that
violates basic democratic freedoms'. Recently he added that `If the
situation does not change, we will not resist for long'.
This opposition newspaper appeared in a difficult financial situation
as a result of numerous fines imposed by the court's procedure. On
November 5 the accounts were completely frozen.
Even though `Journalists beyond borders' international organization
criticized the decision of the judicial power of Azerbaijan, however,
it could make no changes in the situation.
Around 40 journalists are imprisoned in Azerbaijan today for different
or no reasons.
There are many cases when journalists who defend the freedom of speech
are lynched for showing consistency in their speech and questions. The
indifference of state authorities towards the trouble that journalists
came across heralds with `all-saying silence'.
One of the typical examples is the case of beating the reporter of the
newspaper `Zerkalo' and the Head of the `Electronic Journalism' NGO
Idrak Abbasov up to the level of disability, the medical treatment of
which was covered once again by the `Journalists beyond borders'
international organization. As for those who committed the crime, they
became inaccessible.
It looks like the Azerbaijani authorities realize the fight against
freedom of speech and media in an organized way and with specially
developed methodology.
In this regard let us mention numerous obstacles created on the way of
realization of the publications of the civil organizations or
political parties. For instance, the authorities of Baku decided that
the newspaper kiosks in their city should transform into trade
institutions with wide profile. Half of them were transformed into
large pavilions selling also food and industrial products. As a result
the low index of newspaper sells decreased even more resulting in
closing down of a number of news agencies that could survive by means
of selling their newspaper or worsening their material situation.
By the way it is stated in the announcement of the `Journalists beyond
borders' that the Government of Azerbaijan must `guarantee justice for
the case of journalists and media organizations'. It also expressed
hope that the `7th Conference on web management' will have its say
regarding that issue.
Samvel Martirosyan
ÕÕ¥Õ²Õ«Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯:
Factinfo.am
http://www.pastinfo.am/en/the-most-part-of-opposition-newspapers-closed-down-tv-channels-being-controlled
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 18:21
Analytics
The `7th International Conference on web management' took place in the
capital of Azerbaijan on November 6-9 with the participation of 1000
participants from 100 countries. The main topics of discussion were
related to the development of the sphere, security and web
accessibility issues.
One of them was connected with the issues of freedom of speech and
innovation, as well as preservation of civil journalism in the modern
world.
So we have a statement made by an international organization
protecting the freedom of media `Journalists beyond borders' that was
made almost simultaneously with the forum. `The most part of
opposition newspapers were closed down in Azerbaijan. The Radio-TV
broadcasting is controlled by the authorities'.
The struggle of opposition newspapers against the authorities has a
long history. The Chief Editor of the `Azadlig' newspaper Ganimad
Zakhidov notes when talking about the state controlled by the Aliyev
regime, that `Azerbaijan is known as an authoritarian state that
violates basic democratic freedoms'. Recently he added that `If the
situation does not change, we will not resist for long'.
This opposition newspaper appeared in a difficult financial situation
as a result of numerous fines imposed by the court's procedure. On
November 5 the accounts were completely frozen.
Even though `Journalists beyond borders' international organization
criticized the decision of the judicial power of Azerbaijan, however,
it could make no changes in the situation.
Around 40 journalists are imprisoned in Azerbaijan today for different
or no reasons.
There are many cases when journalists who defend the freedom of speech
are lynched for showing consistency in their speech and questions. The
indifference of state authorities towards the trouble that journalists
came across heralds with `all-saying silence'.
One of the typical examples is the case of beating the reporter of the
newspaper `Zerkalo' and the Head of the `Electronic Journalism' NGO
Idrak Abbasov up to the level of disability, the medical treatment of
which was covered once again by the `Journalists beyond borders'
international organization. As for those who committed the crime, they
became inaccessible.
It looks like the Azerbaijani authorities realize the fight against
freedom of speech and media in an organized way and with specially
developed methodology.
In this regard let us mention numerous obstacles created on the way of
realization of the publications of the civil organizations or
political parties. For instance, the authorities of Baku decided that
the newspaper kiosks in their city should transform into trade
institutions with wide profile. Half of them were transformed into
large pavilions selling also food and industrial products. As a result
the low index of newspaper sells decreased even more resulting in
closing down of a number of news agencies that could survive by means
of selling their newspaper or worsening their material situation.
By the way it is stated in the announcement of the `Journalists beyond
borders' that the Government of Azerbaijan must `guarantee justice for
the case of journalists and media organizations'. It also expressed
hope that the `7th Conference on web management' will have its say
regarding that issue.
Samvel Martirosyan
ÕÕ¥Õ²Õ«Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯:
Factinfo.am