Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 16
Trend:
Communication, cooperation, multiculturalism, mutual understanding and mutual respect, that is what Azerbaijan is trying to promote, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
He made the remarks in his opening speech at the 5th News Agencies World Congress in Baku, Nov. 16.
"I am not going to talk about what media should do, you know better, that's none of my business. But as a head of state and politician, I am sure there must be very serious detailed analysis of the role of media in international events," said Ilham Aliyev.
He noted that the role of media grows day after day, and so grows the responsibility.
"Many times we've witnessed that some events that happen, and which are covered, create a lot of tensions, bloodshed, confrontation. Thus, the support of the media, news agencies and other media in promotion of values of cooperation is very important," he said.
"It will give politicians more chances to advocate for universal values. It will give chance to all of us to be more consistent and active in promotion of this, because sometimes what we read, what we see in the media, is different from reality," said Ilham Aliyev.
"I can tell from my personal experience. Of course president of any country has enough sources of correct information, but sometimes watching different international media, I find out that the same event is interpreted completely differently with respect to who is presenting this event.
Therefore, said the president, "we see a lot of politically motivated coverage of the save events", whether it is Middle East, wars, Europe or post-Soviet area.
"The same event is interpreted completely differently, he said. "And of course we can see political motivation and also probably, to a certain degree, interference of political circles in framing the agenda of what can should be presented, and what should not."
Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that the Baku World News Congress will address these important issues.
"We are all in favor of free media, we all need to have true information," he said. "Especially countries like Azerbaijan, who for 70 years lived in Soviet Union, where there was only one official policy, one ideology and we didn't have access to any information."
"Other countries, and people, they have the right to know what is really happening. I am sure you will address these issues and the Baku congress will be an important step in your activity. Once again, I 'd like to welcome you to our country, and I am very glad and proud that we are hosting such an important global event, and I wish the congress success."