Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The conference entitled “Turkish and Azerbaijani Media: Historical comparisons and transition from traditional media to online media” kicked off in Baku on December 11.

The event is the third project held as part of cooperation between Azerbaijani and Turkish media.

The conference was co-organized by the Azerbaijan Press Council, State Fund for the Support of Mass Media Development under the Azerbaijani President, Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan, Baku offices of Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency, TRT as well as Anatolia News Agency.

The event started with a minute silence in memory of Heydar Aliyev.

2015 will be more significant for Azerbaijani and Turkish media, Aflatun Amashov, the Chairman of Azerbaijani Press Council said opening the ceremony.

The chairman spoke of the problems that occur in transition from traditional media to online media and necessity of coordinating joint activities among the Turkic speaking countries.

“We must work together to expose the lies of the so-called "Armenian genocide” and to convey to the world community the truth about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Khojaly genocide,” he said.

Amashev further stated that the media is developing in the modern and globalizing world, dynamically.

According to the research conducted in recent years in the country, half of the population considers news portals as the main source of their information. “In 2020 this figure will reach 85 percent. Turkey has the same situation,” the chairman noted.

Amashev added the both countries should cooperate in this field in order to shift from traditional to Internet-media.

Hamit Karadeniz, Press Counselor of the Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan touched upon the importance of media ties, stressing the necessity of deepening them and exchange of experience in this field.

Azerbaijan’s news is one of the main themes of Turkish media, said Senol Goka, the Director General of TRT channel.

He rejected any reports on the Turkish media’s indifference towards Azerbaijani news saying:”It is not true. Our countries are cooperating in all fields including media,” Goka said.

Azerbaijani and Turkish media should jointly move to the common goals in accordance with the strategy that is interesting for the two countries, said Ali Hasanov, Head of the Public and Political Affairs Department under the Azerbaijani President.

Hasanov said Azerbaijani media outlets have become leading media structures of the region thanks to the steps taken after 1993 to develop the freedom of speech and information.

He said there is a need to broaden opportunities of all media outlets in the Muslim world and their activities in the context of common interests.

Hasanov mentioned that when the campaign launched in connection with the opening of Turkish-Armenian border a few years ago, the Azerbaijani and Turkish media demonstrated a strong will.

He said Azerbaijan and Turkey media will further make joint efforts, stressing Azerbaijani journalists are in practice in Turkish media and television channels and vice versa.

“Turkey has one of the 20 most powerful economies in the world. Today, Azerbaijan is able to contribute to Turkey’s power and will invest $20 billion to this country. All of this will further expand opportunities for Azerbaijan and Turkey to speak with one voice. I would like to note in advance that it will not threaten anyone’s interest. Today we are fighting for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. As a member of the international community, we don’t want anything more,” he added.

Hasanov noted that journalists should not forget that they must take into consideration the interests of the both countries.