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On 22 August the members of Public Committee attached to the Ministry of Justice Eldar Zeynalov, Elmira Alakbarova and Elmari Mamishov, as well as member of the Council of Human Rights Center of Republic of Azerbaijan ZalihaTahirova visited Prison # 10. On 28 August human rights defenders Novella Jafaroglu, Saadat Bananyarli and Chingiz Ganizade visited “Azadlig” newspaper satiric/journalist Sakit Zahidov in Prison # 14 and editor-in-chief of “Realny Azerbaijan” newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev in Prison # 12.  (31-AUG-08)
     

On 27 August in the village of Nehrem, in Azerbaijan’s Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, a confrontation occurred between village residents and police.
During the confrontation, three journalists; Radio Liberty correspondents Malahat Nasibova and Ilgar Nasibov, and Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety correspondent Elman Abbasov were beaten. (29-AUG-08)
      

The Council of Europe and “Yeni Nesil” Journalist Union conducted a one day conference on the topic of “Media and Elections: Democratic Responsibility of Media” within the framework of activity plan to improve media professionalism in the Republic of Azerbaijan during the run-up for presidential elections 2008. (26-AUG-08)
     

Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety is launching its 2008 Presidential Election Media-Monitoring Project to systematically monitor the media coverage of the 15 October presidential election. The periodic results of the monitoring of seven television stations and four newspapers will be regularly released to the public. (17-AUG-08)
       

On August 6, “Yeni Nesil” Journalist Union unveiled the results of media monitoring it is conducting with financial support from the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The monitoring results encompass the period between 15 and 30 July. (8-AUG-2008)
   

“Turan” News Agency’s Director Mehman Aliyev (right) in his article “War For Free Press Stopped, But Guns Still Kept Ready” highlights the situation on freedom of press, giving examples from historical moments of Republic of Azerbaijan and the whole world concerning this issue. (5-AUG-2008)
    

On 31 July President Ilham Aliyev (right) signed a decree to give out one time financial aid to mass media institutions. According to the decree, 38 mass media institutions will each receive one time aid in the amount of 5000 AZN (6200 USD approximately) from the president’s reserve fund. (1-AUG-2008)
    

On 25 July presentation of the “Electronic Database of Journalists Subjected to Pressure” took place in the press center of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. (26-JUL-2008)
     

On 24 July presentation of the “Journalists’ Friend” award was conducted. The Head of Civil and Political Rights Center Parviz Hashimli opened the event and explained that the winners were chosen according to survey conducted among journalists. U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Azerbaijan Anne Derse took the first place. (25-JUL-2008)