Azernews.Az

BAKU – A leading international media watchdog has welcomed the Azerbaijani government’s efforts to improve the conditions provided for journalists in the country.

International Press Institute (IPI) director Alison Bethel McKenzie told a news conference at the end of a visit to Baku by IPI representatives on Friday that they had held meetings with both media representatives and government officials. During a meeting with Presidential Administration department head Ali Hasanov, President Ilham Aliyev’s measures to support Azerbaijani media were discussed.

The IPI representatives applauded the government’s decision to provide housing for journalists, noting that 5 million manats ($6.25 million) has been allocated to build homes for journalists, regardless of their political views. Moreover, the government plans to provide 400 more journalists with apartments in the coming years, they stressed.

McKenzie also highly assessed the work of the Foundation for State Assistance to the Development of the Media operating under the Azerbaijani President. She welcomed the foundation’s financing newspapers’ projects and conducting contests for journalists.

McKenzie voiced hope that such state assistance would not be a tool of influence upon journalists.

"State assistance is good, but it should not lead to journalists’ losing their impartiality in their approach to news coverage. Journalists should not sacrifice their independence for what they receive from the government."

McKenzie said further that Azerbaijani journalism faces some unresolved problems as well. According to her, the government should first release jailed journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, and IPI representatives made a relevant request during their discussions with Azerbaijani officials.

McKenzie said IPI condemns pressure on journalists in any given country. Accordingly, IPI has called on the Azerbaijani government to counter such cases and punish those responsible for them.

"We are content with Azerbaijani officials’ views on the matter. It was decided that IPI will continue cooperating with the government. I believe that this cooperation will contribute to ensuring media freedom in Azerbaijan."

McKenzie said that during the discussions held in Baku the authorities were asked to further improve their relations with the media. She said the government should improve journalists’ access to primary sources of information and increase state bodies’ capabilities in releasing information.

IPI director McKenzie and Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills met on Friday with Executive Director of the foundation for state assistance to the media, Vugar Safarli, and its Observation Council chairman Umud Mirzayev.

Safarli said the foundation was implementing projects on improving the logistics of the media, working to better the social security of journalists and conducting contests aiming to increase journalists’ skills. He requested McKenzie that IPI assist in organizing Azerbaijani journalists’ trips to Europe to gain international experience. McKenzie pledged IPI’s assistance in this regard.