Presidential Administration: Statements about lack of press freedom in Azerbaijan do not reflect reality - UPDATE

International organizations asserting the presence of freedom of speech violation in Azerbaijan gradually lose their independence and begin to fulfill certain centers’ order Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department head Ali Hasanov told journalists today.

He said statements about violation of freedom of press in Azerbaijan, which puts no barrier to establish media organizations, their activities, as well as journalists’ activity, are of subjective nature and do not reflect reality.

With regards to Eynulla Fatullayev’s arrest, Hasanov said his arrest bear no relation to his journalistic activity. "At present, there is no journalist under arrest in Azerbaijan. Such facts existed before, but all these people were released," he added.

Hasanov said today there is freedom of speech and freedom of press in Azerbaijan, and any journalist can criticize officials, as well as investigate any governmental agency’s activity.

"Most reports by international organizations about freedom of press are biased and aim to influence the Azerbaijani government and its policy," Hasanov said.

"I invite any organization evaluating freedom of speech and freedom of press in Azerbaijan at the 171st place to visit the country. Let them come and we will hold discussions before you. If taking any newspaper in the country one can see the criticism about the Azerbaijani government, and if one has an opportunity to criticize any state official’s activity with further investigation, then speaking about the violation of freedom of speech and freedom of press in this country is indeed subjective," Hasanov said.

"We do not question activity of the Freedom House and other organizations as a whole. They act through financial support of any foundation and serve definite purposes. However, they do not target classifying freedom of speech in the world and create a model. They fulfill certain purposes and orders, and bear responsibility before organizations funding them."

"News about developments in the countries of North Africa, broadcasted by the so-called transnational television channels, are formed and disseminated from one center," Hasanov said.

"Are there not people in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt thinking in opposition or different way about the events there? There are. Why aren’t any of them on the air? In this case, let us now to ask from here why these channels do not have freedom of speech and freedom of thought? Let these countries watch European television channels instead of looking for a speck in Azerbaijan’s eye," he said. According to Hasanov, there is "smoothed" information policy in every country. "Each country pursues its information policy. The key objective is to ensure interests of the country and its people," he underscored.

Hasanov said unless freedom of speech, freedom of press, activity of government officials - any activity in Azerbaijan, including free journalism, are a public consequence and serve the state, then it is useless.

"The journalism, not serving Azerbaijan’s progress, is useless. We urge journalists to be not only journalists, but also citizens," Hasanov stressed.

/Trend/