Aflatun Amashov: "It is impossible to fund all of numerous media organizations in Azerbaijan"

"Concept of the Government Support for Mass Media was the main event in media last year. It is perfect document", Aflatun Amashov, Press Council Chairman told APA.

He said Media Development Supporting Fund would be established soon. 1.3 million AZN allocated from the state budget for the development of press will be spent for certain purposes in near future, said Amashov. "These purposes were specified in the Concept. The resources will be shared by tender and without it. Government grants, loans, subsidies and targeted aids for media organizations were also covered. Of course, not all media organizations will benefit from it. The resources should be shared on the basis of certain principles, which should be elaborated by the Fund. It is impossible to fund all of numerous media organizations in Azerbaijan. I think at first we must strengthen the basis of independent press in Azerbaijan. There are number of newspapers, which have no banking accounts and don’t report to the relevant organizations in time. There are such media organizations, which are indebted to the courts and if they receive assistance, it will be checked off by the courts. I think such media organizations can’t receive assistance. Mass media related to the political parties, religious organizations and having foreign aid in their registered capital can not enjoy the government support. There are state-funded media organizations, which also can’t receive the assistance. Newspapers which violated professional behavior rules should also be banned from these assistances".

There are 50.000 journalists in Azerbaijan at present, but 2000 of them are real journalists and Chairman of the Council said that Press Council was anxious about the issue. Amashov added that establishment of Media Development Supporting Fund would regulate labour contracts in mass media.

"The work on cards will be over in fist half of 2009. Journalists carrying cards will have superior authority. We will recommend local organizations to prefer journalists receiving cards of the Council in cooperation. Press Council plans to provide free journalists with cards. Card supply rules should be prepared," he said.

Amashov touched upon social conditions of journalists and said that it was sorrowful and Press Council was anxious about it.

"Most of them have not apartments. We investigate ways of solution according to international norms. Press Council Social Affairs Commission works on giving mortgage credits to journalists. The Council will consider the issue during one of the future meetings. After determination of correct number of journalists and delivering cards, measures on this direction will intensify," he added.

/APA/