I welcome Isa Gambar's leaving post of Yeni Musavat newspaper founder: Azerbaijani MP

Day.Az: How do you assess the recent move by opposition Musavat Party Chairman Isa Gambar who handed over the post of founder of the Yeni Musavat newspaper to editor-in-chief of the newspaper Rauf Arifoglu?

Aynur Jamalgizi: I think this is the most democratic step by Musavat Party Chairman Isa Gambar during his presence in domestic opposition. I believe journalism should be independent and free. The fact a media outlet is founded by a leader of a domestic party does not let the that media to operate independently and freely, forces it adhere to the line of the party regardless of whether the party right in a particular subject or not. From now on, the newspaper will operate more independently and freely not making its editorial policy dependent on the Musavat Party position following Isa Gambar’s quitting post of the Yeni Musavat founder.

In addition, those who supported Isa Gambar’s retaining post of the Yeni Musavat founder claimed that it contributes to the reader's interest in the newspaper. This is a very erroneous opinion. Now that Isa Gambar has left this post, all will understand that popularity of this newspaper is a fruit of a huge, hard work of a media team headed by the editor-in- chief Rauf Arifoglu.

Throughout the world, the media do not exist in order to assess political shortcomings of opposition party leaders who run this media, but to deliver news and analytical articles in an competent, objective and comprehensive manner. In terms of eliminating these realities, I welcome  Isa Gambar’s resignation from the post of founder of the Yeni Musavat newspaper.

Q: Why didn’t you express your criticism before the last parliamentary elections?

A: When I was working for the Yeni Musavat, I was not able to write an article critical of the Musavat party, even of Isa Gambar. That was reality.

I believe the newspaper was not independent in terms of critics toward Isa Gambar.

Q: Will the newspaper criticize Isa Gambar or deny him a platform once he leaves the newspaper?  

A: I think it will not. Any article critical of the Musavat Party or Isa Gambar after he quits the newspaper will cause strong protest among Musavat supporters.

Q: May Isa Gambar’s move mean that Rauf Arifoglu is most likely to be the next chairman of the Musavat party?

A: I think it is less likely to happen. Rauf Arifoglu has stated in numerous occasions that he would rather launch a new political party than to preside over Musavat. I personally believe that Rauf Arifoglu is a man who has achieved great success in the domestic political arena. He is a public figure who despite many difficulties managed to create and maintain one of the most popular media in Azerbaijan. All this gives him an opportunity to launch and lead a political party.

Day.Az