The conference “Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan in the Context of Local and International Legislation” started in Azerbaijan on the 19-th of November. The conference opened with a 15-minute film prepared by the Presidential Administration Socio-Political Department, which presented the situation with freedom of expression in Azerbaijan only from a positive standpoint. The film did not contain a word on murdered or imprisoned journalists. (20-NOV-07)
 
Written by Shahla Ismailova/ HRH Baku on the basis of materials from IRFS, Turan Info Agency, ANS Tv channel

The film featured a large number of statistics and expressed the general positive and democratic view in the area of mass media in Azerbaijan.

Presidential Administration Socio-Political Administration head Ali Hasanov read a letter of welcome from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vagif Sadigov, Freedom of Speech Defense Fund Chairman Musa Yagub, “Association-Bulgaria” NGO President Rumen Popov, Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General Denis Bribosia, and Press Council Chairman Aflatun Amashev spoke. 
 
Plenary sessions
At the plenary sessions, the representatives from numerous national and international organizations had an opportunity to speak; among them were Aidan White, head of the International Federation of Journalists; Rashid Hajili, Media Rights Institute Director;  Aflatun Amashev, Press Council Chairman.

Such issues as the absence of law “On Defamation”, imprisonment of journalists were raised by some lawyers, however the Ali Hasanov responded to this “in contrast with Europe, Azerbaijani journalists are in prison because their professional level is low.”

During the IRFS Chairman Emin Huseynov seized the opportunity to speak about Azerbaijan’s eight imprisoned journalists and two journalists in pre-trial detention. Huseynov also spoke about the lack of independent TV channels, the monopoly over the internet and the fact that the current situation in Azerbaijan resembles that of Kazakhstan. At the same time, Huseynov pushed for fundamental change, noting that even if there weren’t so many journalists in prison, the freedom of expression and freedom of the press situation still wouldn’t be good.
 
However, Ali Hasanov used the offensive tone regarding the level of “prestige” of the people, who made this or that comment. He disregarded Emin Huseynov’s comment for the reason that “he has not prestige in Azerbaijan society” and instead stressed to pay attention to ‘Yeni Nesil’ Chairman Arif Aliyev and Press Council Chairman Aflatun Amashev “who have prestige”, said Ali Hasanov.
 
Technical problems
As a matter of fact the microphones at the conference failed to work when lawyer Adil Minbashiyev sought to respond to Ali Hasanov’s statement. The same happened when Emin Huseynov raised his hand to respond.  The microphones “did not work” halfway through “Novaya Gazeta” newspaper staff member Victoria Ivleva’s statement.