Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

Azerbaijan’s capital Baku hosted a solemn ceremony on July 22 to mark the 140th anniversary of National Press and to honor media representatives with special awards conferred by President Ilham Aliyev.

The event, which was attended by state and governmental officials, members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, as well as the popular media personalities, started with the performance of the national anthem.

Presidential Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov then presented the awards to the media representatives.

Awards were first given to the winners of a contest by the Fund of State Support to Media Development under the President of Azerbaijan for the best coverage of the Baku 2015 First European Games.

Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint-Stock Company took first place; AzerTag state news agency and ATV channel won second; while Trend, APA news agencies, and Azerbaijan newspaper all took third.

A special award from the Fund was presented to Lider TV and Radio Azerbaijan Ltd., Khazar TV LLC, and Ses Media Group for efficient activity in promoting national interests during the First European Games.

Hasanov himself was awarded by the UBM Group Company for information support to the Baku 2015 First European Games. He also received special recognition by PAŞA Bank and Bakcell Company for achievements in promoting the national interests of Azerbaijan.

Deputy Head of Department of Public and Political Affairs for the Azerbaijani President Vugar Aliyev and the department’s Chief Consultant, Jeyran Amiraslanova, were also awarded by the UBM Group Company for their work in the field of information security during the First European Games.

The Supreme Press Award was presented to the persons and media outlets that have a special role in the development of Azerbaijan's national press. First prize was given to Kaspi Newspaper.

Later, Ali Hasanov presented awards to those, who received honorary tittles and medals upon the presidential decree dated July 20.

Then, awards went to the winners of a contest for journalists organized by the Fund of State Support to Media Development under the President of Azerbaijan and dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the national press.

Ali Hasanov, commenting on President Aliyev's meeting with the members of the Board of Directors of the Press Council on July 21, told journalists that the Azerbaijani state does not separate itself from media, regards their concerns as its own and takes necessary care of media representatives.

"The care for Azerbaijani media will continue in the future as well," he noted. “The president emphasized this in his speech yesterday. The head of state also noted that Azerbaijan doesn’t imagine itself without independent media and it is an integral part of our society.”

The top official also said that the 140th anniversary of Azerbaijani national press is widely celebrated.

Azerbaijan celebrates National Press Day every year on July 22. It commemorates the first release of the newspaper Akinchi (The Plowman), printed on this day in 1875, stretching the history of the Azerbaijani press back 140 years.

Founded by Azerbaijani journalist, teacher, scholar, and Moscow University alumnus Hasan Bey Zardabi, Akinchi played a paramount role in the formation and development of the Azerbaijani national press.

Over the years, the press has become a mirror of public opinion. Today, often described as the fourth estate, the press contributes to the transparency of many processes in Azerbaijan. So far, the country has registered thousands of media outlets, many of which publish regularly.

In 1998, Azerbaijan's National Leader Heydar Aliyev abolished censorship. This decision gave impetus for the further development of the national press.

Today, Azerbaijan, a democratic state in the South Caucasus region, enjoys a free press atmosphere.