Ali Hasanov: "It is time for journalists to work in line with laws"

"Some of the media outlets have recently published insulting articles and libels against different individuals which result in lawsuits against them. There is not a solid fact causing a image in Azerbaijan that the media suffer pressures, if we don't take into account trial hearings against journalists and the physical assault on one journalist in law enforcement bodies," President's Office socio-political department head Ali Hasanov told the APA exclusively.

Mr.Hasanov does not agree with recent widely discussed opinion that mass pressure is put on the media. He said the lawsuits against some newspapers, prosecution of different journalists should be regarded normally in a juridical state.

"This must not be regarded as the government's pressure against the media," he underlined.

Hasanov said some journalist organizations appeal to international regarding this issue without any ground. The department head stressed that the Azerbaijani government ensures all conditions for development of freedom of expression and media.

"Some newspapers and journalists appeal to international organizations claiming that their rights are violated. And the international organizations send inquiry to the Azerbaijani government or release statement saying the rights of journalists are violated in the country. They include Azerbaijan into the list of countries, where journalists face pressures. However, in fact the media is not pressured in Azerbaijan at all, and journalists' rights are not violated. This fact should not be underestimated. Freedom of expression and press is fully guaranteed in Azerbaijan under legislation and will be guaranteed after that. The journalists facing prosecution should understand that it is time for them to work in line with laws. The right of an individual is limited until the beginning of another one. Lawsuits against journalists are observed in most countries, so this cannot be assessed as pressure against journalists," Hasanov underlined.

The department head said he is against commenting on the tense situation in the country's media that some officials influence the media outlets that they are not independent at all.

"I do not agree with that. The newspapers facing lawsuits neither obey the laws, nor respect dignities of individuals. If you analyze, you will see that most of the plaintiffs, who were insulted, claim their rights. Why do you think only several known newspapers and their known corresponds are prosecuted? These persons neither respected professional ethics nor legislation. They have been insulting individuals for many years. So, lawsuits against them were expected," he underlined.

As coming to journalists and the Press Councils' proposals for applying severe laws and increasing the powers of the Council, the department chief said he considers these proposals acceptable.

"Journalists should be reformed before trial and we should ensure theirs observing the law. The Press Council should work to ensure that journalists don't violate the rights of people. Everybody enjoys the right to protect their rights through court."

He said that some journalists requested the President for not a meeting but stop of lawsuits against journalists.

"The editors-in-chief of newspapers face lawsuits try to meet with the President. They think that the President should exert pressure on courts, public officials not to file lawsuits or verdicts. In our country everyone observe a law and the president has no right to exert pressure on the courts. The president can't deprive various officials of defending their rights. So, there is no point in such a meeting."