OSCE prepared report on situation of mass media in Azerbaijan

The document was explained to the government of Azerbaijan 2 weeks before, OSCE Permanent Council 1 week before and the press of Azerbaijani today. The multitude of views expressed, even high politicisation, in the printed press indicates that pluralism has taken hold.

However, diversity does not extend much beyond the print media which has a very low circulation, and is financially and professionally weak. In this situation, it is hard to overestimate the importance of television, the main source of information for the citizens. Unfortunately, the new broadcasting laws have not remedied the situation in the electronic media. No new licenses were issued to private televisions. The transformation of state broadcasting has only concerned Channel 2, while Channel 1 will continue to be state-run. The management chosen to run these new television channels has widely been criticised as not being independent.

Murder of the famous journalist Elmar Huseynov was also paid much attention in the document. His death resulted in displeasure in the whole world, because he was one of the journalists who were mostly persecuted and called to account several times in the country. As of the time of writing, the information policy has not been changed even as the authorities have finally announced the case “to be solved”. On 29 June 2005 the Prosecutor-General Zakir Garalov announced that the authorities had identified Huseynov’s assassins. Neither possible motives nor supporting facts were provided with this statement. Rushana Huseynova, Huseynov’s wife is not satisfied with the final results of the investigation. Sahbaz Khuduoglu from the Elmar Huseynov foundation has even accused the National Security Ministry of still withholding information about the investigation and has threatened to take the Ministry to court. Some media outlets agreed to support Mr. Khuduoglu and his endeavour.

What everybody agrees upon, from the opposition to the authorities, is that this murder was committed not for some trivial reasons that could have involved Huseynov’s private life, but because of his professional work, and that it was politically motivated. In that sense it is also a clear attack on freedom of the freedom on the press in Azerbaijan. So long as the real motives of the perpetrators of the murder of Elmar Huseynov are not identified and proven in court, the public can not consider the case as closed, and confidence in the investigation stands in jeopardy.

Until then, the Government should provide the public with as much information as possible on the investigation, in order to minimize the chilling effect on journalism and media environment caused by the murder. It is said in the part about the violence against the journalists: “After the demonstrations in October 2003, 70 journalists complained to the Press Council of being mistreated by the authorities. These numbers were corroborated by state officials. Press Council President Aflatun Amashov told the Representative, that of the 44 of 70 journalists complained about being beaten by the police. A joint investigation by the Internal Affairs Ministry and the Press Council did not yield any perpetrators. No police officers were disciplined internally. On 21 May 2005 in Baku, Teymurkhanli, although wearing the official vest with the word “Press” clearly visible, was beaten up by a security officer while covering a demonstration. For the first time the officer responsible for the incident was discharged from the police force, and prohibited from ever serving the public again. The circumstances of the case of Alim Kazimli remain unsolved. It is informed that Alim Kazimli, correspondent and photographer of the “Yeni Musavat” paper was beaten up by police officers when applying for identification documents at the Narimanov District Police Department in Baku on 28th December, 2004.

All cases of violence should be thoroughly investigated. Any police officers implicated in harassing or beating journalists should be disciplined. Especially in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections, measures should be taken to ensure the safety and security of reporters, especially those covering public gatherings”.

M.Haraszti analyzing circumstances of broadcasting writes that both government-controlled and privately-owned broadcasters exist in Azerbaijan. About 88% of the population of the capital and 93% of the population outside of the capital consider TV to be the main source of information. The adequate legal and institutional framework for licensing for new, independent private broadcasters should be established as soon as possible. The country’s National TV and Radio Council should be made more independent, and its functions should be made much clearer. It should be allocated a special budget. A frequency map should be provided as soon as possible. In view of the upcoming parliamentary elections, at least the open frequencies should be issued to the new broadcasters tendering for a license.

In the paragraph where it is noted that the Public Television (PTV) has not been opened yet, according to the approximate calculations, at least $ 30 million is needed for PTV’s starting to work in full functionality.

For PTV to truly become independent, the Government should ensure new elections of the Director General, and provide for substantial support to this new television station. Channel 1 should also be transformed into PTV. It is of great importance for an impartial coverage of the upcoming election campaign that PTV starts broadcasting as soon as possible.

It is said about the circumstances in the print press that according to the information of 2004, more than 600 newspapers and 100 magazines were registered in Azerbaijan. However, more than half of them are either suspended or never started publishing. About 15% of all print media belongs to the government and about 35% to political parties. The rest of the press is relatively independent although, because of economic vulnerability and financial dependence, the independence of the absolute majority of them is of a conditional nature. Generally, all media are affiliated with one or another interest group, not depending on being it political or economic.

/APA/