On 20 June Azerbaijani Journalists conducted the Fifth Congress during which Aflatun Amashev (right) was re-elected as Press Council Chairman. The new chairman of the Press Council was chosen by the members of Administrative Staff in accordance to the council’s procedures. (23-JUN-08)
      
Written by Shahla Ismayilova/ HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of information from ANS TV channel, IRFS, Turan news Agency
 
Press Council Chairman Aflatun Amashev made an opening statement and then the Congress proceeded with the creation of Presidium, Secretary, Quantity and Mandate Commissions. During the Congress some discussions were conducted in relation to the amendments and changes suggested for the Press Council Regulations. Press Council Administrative Staff members Arif Aliyev, Gulu Maharramli, and Zeynal Mammadli appealed to Congress participants not to adopt the amendments and changes to the regulations. However, the amendments and changes were approved. According to the amendments and changes, that council chairman will now serve for four years not two, and the clause forbidding the same person from being elected chairman more than twice was removed.

Voting on members to the Press Council’s Administrative Staff was conducted before lunch break. The staff consists of 15 members, nine of which are press representatives and six that are public representatives. As a result of voting, the following people were elected as members of the Press Council’s Administrative Staff:

Media representatives
Aflatun Amashov, Rashad Majid (525-ji newspaper editor-in-chief), Bakhtiyar Sadigov (“Azerbaijan” newspaper editor-in-chief), Vugar Rahimzade (“Iki Sahil” newspaper editor-in-chief), Vusala Mahirgizi (Head of APA), Mehman Aliyev (“Turan” Information Agency director), Umid Mirzayev (Head of International Eurasia Press Fund), Elchin Shikhli (“Ayna”-“Zerkalo” Newspapers editor-in-chief, Head of Azerbaijani Journalist Union), Tapdig Abbas (“Paralel” newspaper editor-in-chief), Akif Ashirli (“Sharg” newspaper editor-in-chief, reserve member), Aydin Guliyev (“Baki Khabar” newspaper editor-in-chief, reserve member).

Public representatives
Vugar Safarli (Chairman of “Azermatbuat yayimi” Public Union), Haji Sabir Hasanli (Islam University Director), Agil Abbas (National Deputy), Kamal Abdulla (Writer), Mushfig Alasgarli (Head of Journalist Union), Jamil Hasanli (National deputy), Qafar Chakhmagli (Head of League of Independent Journalist Investigation, reserve member),  Gulu Maharramli (TV journalist, reserve member)

After this voting, Aflatun Amashov was elected as the chairman of the Press Council for the third time. Out of 218 congress representatives, only one voted against Aflatun Amashov and four remained neutral.