Elchin Shikhlinski: "Situation in freedom of speech in Azerbaijan leaves much to be desired"

The report of the organization "Reporters without borders" regarding freedom of speech in the world, proves that the situation with freedom of speech in our country is far from normal, said Elchin Shikhlinski, chairman of the Reporters Union of Azerbaijan and editor-in-chief of the Zerkalo newspaper.

He said Azerbaijan's lagging behind Armenia and Georgia is explained by existence of three imprisoned journalists in our country, while there are no imprisoned reporters either in Georgia or Armenia.

"Naturally, this fact can hardly be presented as a positive step, proving freedom of speech in the country.

Georgia and Armenia applied censorship but soon lifted it", said Shikhlinski

As for presidential elections in Azerbaijan, he said "Reporters without borders" held a monitoring of local press, though only in state-financed newspapers. In the result, a conclusion was made that the said mass medias lack pluralism of opinions.

"I do not exclude that their report was made by results of this very monitoring".

According to Shikhlinski, any organization, covering a definite area of life, can assess the situation in this very area. The point is how the assessment of any international organization will be perceived by the society of the country analyzed.

"In this connection, I would say that I do not know how important the situation under which Azerbaijan is ranked 150th in the report of the "Reporters without borders" is for the Azerbaijani society.

As for problems in the sphere of freedom of speech in Azerbaijan, he said a problem of pluralism of opinions in mass medias can be spoken of in Azerbaijan.

"Any local edition has a right to express any thoughts, but one can hardly come across an opposite opinion on the same TV channel or in the same newspaper.

Moreover, as is known, the total number of officially registered newspapers in Azerbaijan has topped 3,500. Unfortunately, there are few serious editions in our country, which meet all principles of journalism and demonstrate loyalty to pluralism of opinions.

In other words, Azerbaijan has very influential, independent, free newspapers, wonderful analysts and journalists, expressing their opinion freely, but on the whole, the situation in freedom of speech in Azerbaijan leaves much to be desired.

/Day.Az/