“Inam” Pluralism Center Chairman Vahid Gazi opened the event. He stated that the role and influence of mass media during election is weak. “Yeni Nasil” Journalist Union Chairman Arif Aliyev said that no election climate is noticed in the media.
A speech prepared by the Media Rights Institute (MRI) representative Khalid Agaliyev, was presented during the event. The application of European standards in the area of speech and press freedom in Azerbaijan, achievements in this area and issues related to current problems were reflected in the speech. The weakening of the print media because of the application of censorship, the rise of pressure against mass media, supervision on state TV channels, and fines levied against the media were given special emphasis.
The day before this event the “Free, Transparent and Fair Elections” Coalition conducted a press conference, but although the organization promised to unveil the results of monitoring conducted on the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan, journalists were criticized during the event.
According to coalition member Eldar Ismayilov, political inactivity is reigning in the country, and this is the fault of the journalists. Ismayilov said journalists should write about elections and pre-election preparation mostly.
Presidential candidates Fazil Gazanfaroglu, Gulamhuseyn Alibeyli, YAP candidate authoritative representative of president Ilham Aliyev Mubariz Gurbanli and NGO leaders participated in the event.
