BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Media plays an
important role in legal enlightenment of society, in prompt and
objective delivery of information about ongoing processes to the
general public, thus shaping public opinion, the Human Rights
Commissioner (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva said at
the opening ceremony of the 2nd Forum on Public Processes in Media
Space, Trend
reports.
She noted that the media also acts as an effective tool of
public control.
“Today’s event is of great importance in terms of analyzing the
reflection of public events in media, influence of media platforms
on public opinion, promotion of professional approaches, discussion
of media’s impact on human rights, as well as assessment of
prospects for cooperation between institutions,” she said.
According to Aliyeva, one of the main principles of establishing
a state based on the rule of law is the existence of independent
media, freedom of thought, speech and press.
“The formation of freedom of speech and thought, as well as the
press based on democratic principles in independent Azerbaijan, is
connected with the name of national leader Heydar Aliyev. It was on
his initiative, with the adoption of the Constitution of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, one of the most important events in the
history of our independence, that a fundamental basis for the
realization of human rights and freedoms, including freedom of
thought and speech, freedom of information was created in the
country, and censorship was banned.
Legal and institutional reforms continued by the President of
the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, have improved the current
situation in Azerbaijan in the field of freedom of thought, speech,
and the press to a level comparable to developed democratic
countries.
The establishment of the Media Development Agency, adoption of
the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Media”, introduction of
several tax benefits and exemptions for media entities, as well as
other reforms, are vivid examples of this,” the Ombudsperson
concluded.
