ID :
59199
Wed, 05/06/2009 - 13:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/59199
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YAP DEPUTY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: AZERBAIJAN IS EXAMPLE TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN TERMS OF PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS
Baku, May 6 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan serves as example to other countries in terms of the protection of freedom of speech and press, said Deputy Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Mubariz Gurbanly.
Commenting on remarks made by US President Barack Obama during his statement on the World Press Freedom Day, the YAP official said “Mr. Obama`s ranking Azerbaijan among the countries with less respect for freedom of speech and press is beyond the reality”.
“I fail to see logic behind his argument. Protecting freedom of press and speech has always been one of the key priorities for the government of Azerbaijan.”
“What we think is that the US President`s arguments is the product of false information he had been given,” said Gurbanly, adding “the fact the press freedom in Azerbaijan is guaranteed by the government is known to everybody”.
“Government support to the media was strengthened with the nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev`s returning to power, and this policy is today being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev who has been making considerable steps towards strengthening the protection of the press.”
“Reforms in the media included increasing government funding and raising wages of people working in the press. The censorship of the press was lifted, media outlets were freed from taxes and their debts were cancelled as well. The government also set up a State fund for the support of the media under the President, and the 2009 Budget envisages large funds for the mass media.”
“Today there are tens of opposition newspapers, magazines and news agencies in Azerbaijan. There are also tens of radio stations and TV channels, including foreign ones which freely broadcast across the country,” said the YAP Deputy Executive Secretary.
“Ranking Azerbaijan – despite its achievements in the protection of the media - among the countries with poor press freedom records is quite surprising. At the same time, to our deep regret, nothing was said about serious challenges faced by the mass media, including continuing censorship and violence against journalists in Armenia and other aggressor countries.”
“The New Azerbaijan Party expresses deep concern and regret over US President Barack Obama`s negative remarks about the press freedom situation in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the party believes that, in future, the US leader will be provided with objective information by his speech writers” Gurbanly said.
Commenting on remarks made by US President Barack Obama during his statement on the World Press Freedom Day, the YAP official said “Mr. Obama`s ranking Azerbaijan among the countries with less respect for freedom of speech and press is beyond the reality”.
“I fail to see logic behind his argument. Protecting freedom of press and speech has always been one of the key priorities for the government of Azerbaijan.”
“What we think is that the US President`s arguments is the product of false information he had been given,” said Gurbanly, adding “the fact the press freedom in Azerbaijan is guaranteed by the government is known to everybody”.
“Government support to the media was strengthened with the nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev`s returning to power, and this policy is today being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev who has been making considerable steps towards strengthening the protection of the press.”
“Reforms in the media included increasing government funding and raising wages of people working in the press. The censorship of the press was lifted, media outlets were freed from taxes and their debts were cancelled as well. The government also set up a State fund for the support of the media under the President, and the 2009 Budget envisages large funds for the mass media.”
“Today there are tens of opposition newspapers, magazines and news agencies in Azerbaijan. There are also tens of radio stations and TV channels, including foreign ones which freely broadcast across the country,” said the YAP Deputy Executive Secretary.
“Ranking Azerbaijan – despite its achievements in the protection of the media - among the countries with poor press freedom records is quite surprising. At the same time, to our deep regret, nothing was said about serious challenges faced by the mass media, including continuing censorship and violence against journalists in Armenia and other aggressor countries.”
“The New Azerbaijan Party expresses deep concern and regret over US President Barack Obama`s negative remarks about the press freedom situation in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the party believes that, in future, the US leader will be provided with objective information by his speech writers” Gurbanly said.
