OSCE special representative sums up his visit to Azerbaijan

"My visit to Azerbaijan aimed at presenting the book entitled "Media Self-Regulation".  "I am very happy that now this book has been issued in the Azerbaijani language, as well," said Haraszti at a news conference on the results of his visit to Baku.

During the visit, the Special Representative met with the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova and the Head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Public and Political Department Ali Hasanov.

Haraszti appreciated the fact that the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly taken decision to pardon the convicted journalists. "I hope that progress in this regard will continue," he said.

The Union of Journalists, which also operates in Azerbaijan, must perform several functions: to act as a defender of journalistic activities, to provide journalists' access to information and to work with non-governmental organizations, said Haraszti.

The 'Media Self-regulation' speaks about the professionalism of the media, he said.

"Internet is an important resource of a pluralistic media. Many countries have raised the issue on regulating information in the Internet. The state control should not be extended to the Internet because the Internet is unlimited and does not belong to any nation," the OSCE Special Representative on Freedom of the Media said.

/Trend News/