Seminar on Media freedom and Ethics: European dimension in the professional education and training of journalists

The closed meeting of PACE’s Committee Culture, Science and Education was held before the seminar. Chairman of the seminar British parliamentarian, the chief PACE’s Sub-Committee on Media Robert Walter said that the event takes place in the frame of the program Agitation of democracy in Ukraine and South Caucasus. Saying that the training is very important for media, British parliamentarian noted that the quality of the media is defined by the trainings. He said that there are facts that Azerbaijani journalists were killed, criminal cases were launched against them and some of them were removed from their buildings.

US Secretary General's representative in Azerbaijan Denis Bribosia said that 92 events on media in Ukraine since 2001 and 19 events in South Caucasus during 2002-2004 were held and noted that Azerbaijan closely cooperates with the CE in working out the laws on media.

Bribosia also said that EU worries about the close of ANS TV and ANS ChM radio and the decision that made Azadliq newspaper remove from its building, APA reports.

"Azerbaijan took commitments on media before Council of Europe." he said.

President's Administration Socio-Political department Chief Ali Hasanov made statement in the meeting and said that Azerbaijan understands the responsibility of the creation of democratic institutions. Saying that freedom of thought is one of the elements of democracy, Ali Hasanov also expressed his attitude to the close of ANS TV and ANS ChM radio and removal of the newspapers from their buildings.

"No-one is allowed to disobey the laws," he said.

Hasanov said that Azerbaijan is the only country in Post Soviet that it is not necessary to ask permission for newspapers and it is enough to appeal to Justice Ministry. Hasanov also stated that press services were founded in all state bodies and it is their duty to give information. He noted that except advertisement all media exempted from taxes. Hasanov noted that laws on media were adopted, but it is impossible to meet European standards yet, and the main problem is media’s politicizing.

"The journalist can not fight with the government as the politician. The main problem is the journalists do not comprehend their responsibility," he said.

Azerbaijani representative in PACE Elmira Akhundova said that Azerbaijani media got freedom, but it lost its independence within last 10 years.

"Journalist is not politician; he should give rostrum to other ones. Journalists should not be divided in to government and opposition journalists. Media should be free from the politics," she said.

The seminar will be continued tomorrow.