**Updates IFEX alert of 8 December 1999** (CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly concerned by the Azerbaijani parliament’s 9 December 1999 adoption of a new media law that severely restricts press freedom in Azerbaijan. Although the new law formally forbids censorship, it outlines several provisions that limit the internationally-recognized right of journalists to practice their profession. […]
**Updates IFEX alert of 8 December 1999**
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly concerned by the Azerbaijani parliament’s 9 December 1999 adoption of a new media law that severely restricts press freedom in Azerbaijan.
Although the new law formally forbids censorship, it outlines several provisions that limit the internationally-recognized right of journalists to practice their profession. The legislation:
– Orders all existing news media to register with the Ministry of Justice, rather than with the Ministry of Press and Information, while offering no recourse for outlets denied registration on political grounds.
– Empowers a new, as yet unnamed executive-branch agency to distribute broadcast licenses. The new agency will have authority to shut down broadcasters charged with violating broadcast regulations. The broadcasters, meanwhile, have been stripped of their right of appeal through the courts.
– Enables officials to file suits against journalists whose work they find “insults the honor and dignity of the state and the Azerbaijani people,” or is “contrary to the national interest.”
– Gives government agencies broad leeway to decide which journalists will be allowed to cover official events, opening the accreditation process to politically-motivated abuse and manipulation.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– strongly protesting these provisions, which come only sixteen months after His Excellency’s government abolished political censorship
– noting that they violate all international norms of press freedom, and represent a renewed effort by his government to restrict the work of independent media in Azerbaijan
– urging him to guarantee the right of all journalists in Azerbaijan to work without
interference from the state, bearing in mind his international obligations to respect press freedom
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:His Excellency Heidar Aliyev
President of Azerbaijan
19 Istiglaliyat Street
Baku, Azerbaijan 370066
Fax: +9412 920 625Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
