Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev won his second "Friend of Journalists" award.

According to the results of the poll which was held by RUH Committee to Protect Journalists, the Azerbaijani President with 89 percent of votes was declared the friend of journalists for the second time.

Azerbaijan's 30 influential daily, 15 weekly, and four regional newspapers, six journals, 11 information agencies, 12 news portals, seven TV channels, four radio broadcasts, and 11 journalist organizations participated in the poll.

The award presentation ceremony which was held on November 24 was attended by members of Azerbaijan Press Council, State Fund for the Support of Mass Media Development under the Azerbaijani President, and the heads of leading media outlets.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the Press Council Aflatun Amashov congratulated the president on winning the "Friend of Journalists" award.

He highlighted the development of Azerbaijani press and touched upon several issues.

Then he handed over the award to President Aliyev.

The Head of State delivered a speech at the ceremony and highlighted the work and reforms conducted in the country. He highlighted the existence of democratic values, freedom of speech, and freedom of media in the country.

"We are determined to further develop free media," the Azerbaijani President said.

President Aliyev went on to note that the development of media would continue to be a priority for the Azerbaijani government.

There is no political discrimination against media in Azerbaijan, he said.

The president also noted the media's role in raising patriotic spirit in young people, promoting global awareness of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, and leading the country out of information blockade.

President Aliyev also said that Azerbaijan sometimes becomes a victim of slander campaigns, noting that the media must be responsive to this issue.

Teacher at the Baku State University Professor Shirmammad Huseynov, Member of the Parliament Agil Abbas, Chief Editor of Yeni Musavat newspaper Rauf Arifoglu, veteran journalist Yusif Karimov, and Chief Editor of 525-ci qazet newspaper Rashad Majid congratulated the president and expressed their views on the development of media in the country.

Concluding the event, President Aliyev said that he has a positive attitude towards the voiced proposals related to preparation of professional journalists, shooting series for local TV channels, strengthening public support for older journalists, and creating more opportunities for the sale of newspapers.

The Head of State said that he will take measures towards the implementation of these offers.