Former White House spokesperson cites media-gov`t tension
Tension is vividly seen between the media and
government in Azerbaijan, former US President George Bush`s press
secretary said during a visit to Baku last week. Dana Perino said,
during a meeting with local journalists, that there are gaps
between the information that journalists are trying to obtain and
what is actually being divulged by authorities in Azerbaijan.
According to Perino, there is a need for the government to come up
with useful initiatives to fill that void.
During the visit, Perino met with President Ilham Aliyev`s spokesman, Azer Gasymov. She said that during the discussions Gasymov admitted that media briefings have rarely been held, but noted that the Azerbaijani government was responding to journalists` queries to the greatest extent possible.
Perino emphasized that, during her tenure, she used to hold briefings at the White House twice a day. "For a normal relationship of the authorities and the media, both sides must be able to listen, admit their mistakes and display patience."
The former White House spokesperson conducted training sessions for the press-services of numerous Azerbaijani government agencies during the visit.
"Although I sensed the willingness of the press-services to work with journalists, they apparently treated the matter with some caution," Perino said, adding that, considering this, media representatives should be more undertaking.
During the visit, Perino met with President Ilham Aliyev`s spokesman, Azer Gasymov. She said that during the discussions Gasymov admitted that media briefings have rarely been held, but noted that the Azerbaijani government was responding to journalists` queries to the greatest extent possible.
Perino emphasized that, during her tenure, she used to hold briefings at the White House twice a day. "For a normal relationship of the authorities and the media, both sides must be able to listen, admit their mistakes and display patience."
The former White House spokesperson conducted training sessions for the press-services of numerous Azerbaijani government agencies during the visit.
"Although I sensed the willingness of the press-services to work with journalists, they apparently treated the matter with some caution," Perino said, adding that, considering this, media representatives should be more undertaking.
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