US envoy named
US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse has been awarded the title
of "Friend of Journalists" for her contribution to the protection
of media freedom in the country.
Derse was named based on a poll conducted among 20 newspapers, three TV channels, four news agencies and two online papers.
Respondents were asked which international and local entity or person, in their opinion, made the greatest effort in protecting freedom of speech and media.
The ambassador said she was proud to receive the award. She said democracy and free society were unthinkable without a free media.
"Normal conditions should be provided for the development of free media in the environment of competition."
Derse said the United States supported free speech and media in the country. She said the media played a tremendous role ahead of the elections both in Azerbaijan and the U.S.
"Voters base their views on media reports. The work of a free and professional media is therefore crucial."
Co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Andres Herkel was rated second, while worldwide press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders came third.
Derse was named based on a poll conducted among 20 newspapers, three TV channels, four news agencies and two online papers.
Respondents were asked which international and local entity or person, in their opinion, made the greatest effort in protecting freedom of speech and media.
The ambassador said she was proud to receive the award. She said democracy and free society were unthinkable without a free media.
"Normal conditions should be provided for the development of free media in the environment of competition."
Derse said the United States supported free speech and media in the country. She said the media played a tremendous role ahead of the elections both in Azerbaijan and the U.S.
"Voters base their views on media reports. The work of a free and professional media is therefore crucial."
Co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Andres Herkel was rated second, while worldwide press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders came third.
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