Azerbaijani media as committed to truth as it was 145 years ago

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 -- The Azerbaijani media is as committed to the principle of writing and protecting the truth as it was 145 years ago.

This is despite several factors that hinder the development of democracy and media in the country, such as the violation of its territorial integrity and political balance in the region.

Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) special representative in Japan and Malaysia Vugar Aghayev said in this direction, it cooperates with its colleagues in the democratic society and builds relationships.

"Thus, the Azerbaijani press does not only prefer the freedom of speech and idea but also continues to operate on the basis of the interests of its own state and society as in all democratic countries," he said in a statement made available to Bernama in conjunction with the 145th anniversary of the country's National Press Day, Wednesday.

He said that as in democratic countries, the main target of the press is to protect state security, territorial integrity, and the formation of a democratic society.

"After Azerbaijan gained its independence again in 1991, a large number of new press outlets began operating to try to foster a sense of independence in Azerbaijanis, which had been suppressed under the Soviet regime," he said, adding that a Special Fund was established to support the independent press and many newspapers are now given material assistance from the State.

Aghayev said the population today is provided with high-speed internet and quality communication services and all of this owes much to the early efforts of Azerbaijan’s media pioneers.

"Works are being consistently carried out within the Concept for State support for the development of media in Azerbaijan adopted in 2008 to form free and democratic press in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani media is fully free, and journalists discuss any issues," he added.

Prior to that, Azerbaijani media went through several phases, starting on July 22, 1875, when the Azerbaijan national media was founded with the publication of "Əkinçi" (Ploughman) newspaper by one of the outstanding representatives of the era of enlightenment movement, Hasan bey Zardabi.

Magazines like "Füyuzat" and "Molla Nəsrəddin" ("Fyuzat" and "Molla Nasreddin") played an indispensable role in the establishment of Azerbaijani modern literature and music, he said.

Azerbaijani media also went through 70 years of the communist dictatorship.

Aghayev said the press was forced to write about the collective farm system, the socialist revolutions in the world, the complete and final victory of socialism, the Soviet power, and the correctness of the USSR in World War II and during the Cold War.

He said the Azerbaijani media at present is part of the democratic world and does not depend on political ideology.

"As in all over the world, the press that meets the demands of the political-social environment is available in Azerbaijan. As in democratic countries, the main target of the 145-year-old press is to protect state security, territorial integrity, and the formation of a democratic society," he said.

-- BERNAMA