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ILHAM ALIVEV, THE 'FRIEND OF PRESS' AND AZERBAIJAN
November 25, 2013 - 18:22 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The life in Azerbaijan is full of 'surprises'. The
shameful presidential polls were recently followed by another blunder:
the country's 'independent' committee on protection of journalists'
rights has bestowed the Friend of Press award upon re-elected President
Ilham Aliyev.
The decision was based on the results of a survey among 93 media
outlets, 89% of which named President Aliyev as a friend of the press,
who 'supports journalists and provides grants'.
The possibility to give the award to opposition and public figures was
eliminated in 2002, when it the title was conferred on then-president
Heydar Aliyev. The country's new leader, Aliyev Jr., whose rule is
famous for suppression and murder of journalists, jailing of bloggers
and prosecution of 'disobedient' media, has succeeded in creating a
total atmosphere of fear in the media field.
According to the Media Rights Institute, in 2012, journalists
in Azerbaijan were 60 times subject to violence and psychological
pressure, 10 reporters were arrested and 35 defamation lawsuits were
filed. In 2013, the situation got even worse: 47 cases of physical
pressure against journalists were registered, 36 lawsuits were filed
in the first half of the year only, while state bodies refuse requests
for information. All this led Azerbaijan to the list of countries
where press is not free.
The West's unwillingness to give a proper reaction to the ongoing
suppression of the freedom of speech is also alarming. Nevertheless,
more and more foreign reports tell about 'caviar diplomacy', bribery
and beating of those who disagree with the ruling party. This turn is
mostly conditioned by the sharp decrease of oil reserves. Actually,
no one will soon need Azerbaijan as a source of hydrocarbon. Given
the agreement that was finally reached on Tehran's nuclear program,
Iran will soon kick out Baku as an oil and gas supplier.
Maybe then 'pleasing' journalists will have to think what kind of
country they live in.
Karine Ter-Sahakian / PanARMENIAN.Net
November 25, 2013 - 18:22 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The life in Azerbaijan is full of 'surprises'. The
shameful presidential polls were recently followed by another blunder:
the country's 'independent' committee on protection of journalists'
rights has bestowed the Friend of Press award upon re-elected President
Ilham Aliyev.
The decision was based on the results of a survey among 93 media
outlets, 89% of which named President Aliyev as a friend of the press,
who 'supports journalists and provides grants'.
The possibility to give the award to opposition and public figures was
eliminated in 2002, when it the title was conferred on then-president
Heydar Aliyev. The country's new leader, Aliyev Jr., whose rule is
famous for suppression and murder of journalists, jailing of bloggers
and prosecution of 'disobedient' media, has succeeded in creating a
total atmosphere of fear in the media field.
According to the Media Rights Institute, in 2012, journalists
in Azerbaijan were 60 times subject to violence and psychological
pressure, 10 reporters were arrested and 35 defamation lawsuits were
filed. In 2013, the situation got even worse: 47 cases of physical
pressure against journalists were registered, 36 lawsuits were filed
in the first half of the year only, while state bodies refuse requests
for information. All this led Azerbaijan to the list of countries
where press is not free.
The West's unwillingness to give a proper reaction to the ongoing
suppression of the freedom of speech is also alarming. Nevertheless,
more and more foreign reports tell about 'caviar diplomacy', bribery
and beating of those who disagree with the ruling party. This turn is
mostly conditioned by the sharp decrease of oil reserves. Actually,
no one will soon need Azerbaijan as a source of hydrocarbon. Given
the agreement that was finally reached on Tehran's nuclear program,
Iran will soon kick out Baku as an oil and gas supplier.
Maybe then 'pleasing' journalists will have to think what kind of
country they live in.
Karine Ter-Sahakian / PanARMENIAN.Net