Azerbaijani journalists demand not to adopt new law "On Media"

Journalists, bloggers and editors-in-chief of Azerbaijani editions have demanded from the government to recall the bill "On Media", set up a new working group and return the document for updating, treating its current version as repressive. This law will close free journalists' access to information, activists believe.

Mekhman Aliev, the Director of the "Turan" News Agency, is sure that should the bill "On Media" comes into force as a law, it will cause numerous journalists' complaints to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), since it contradicts international conventions.

The intentions stated in the bill to fight racketeering journalists, insults and lies in the media are causing concern, Rasul Djafarov, a lawyer, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. The lawyer believes that these provisions of the law can be applied against the free press.

Mr Djafarov has stated that with the adoption of the bill "On Media", Azerbaijan's place in the international ratings for openness of the society, the freedom of speech and the Internet will surely go down.

The discussion of the bill at the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency was held behind closed doors.

Arif Aliev, a member of the "Yeni Nesil" (New Generation) journalistic association, believes that the aim of the bill is to take control over the spheres of journalism that are not regulated by the state – TV channels broadcasting from abroad that worry the authorities, as well as a mass of informal journalists. The sanctions are envisaged in the form of a temporary suspension of broadcasting, if the assessments in the TV programme are not "objective." Mr Aliev has treated the ban on hidden video and audio recording in the journalistic work as unacceptable.