Trend European Desk Commentator Elmira Tariverdiyeva
Many Western observers rushed fiercely to criticize post-Soviet countries for the lack of freedom of speech. Western countries, countries of the so-called old democracy, of course, can boast with a high level of freedom of expression, thus demand the same from others.
However, observers do not take into account that freedom of speech is power. This power must be used correctly, professionally and on time. The main issue of freedom of speech in the post-Soviet space is media employees' professionalism, the problem of self-censorship and the journalistic ethics.
There are a few important rules under this concept to be observed by journalism professionals.
First of all, freedom of expression can benefit society as a whole, international standards relating to the criticism of political figures and public officials, ban on incitement to hatred based on religion and ethnicity.
In other words, every journalist must be able to determine the relationship between arguments and the results of his activities and stop in time if the results can be disastrous.
A journalist, claiming to be a professional, must be able to bear responsibility for articles which are published with his participation, and be sure that his work will not harm individuals and society as a whole.
It is the willingness of society to accept and evaluate information in the form in which it is presented in countries with old democracy.
The society in those countries that gained independence only two decades ago, is more inclined to trust the press. Perhaps, it is a relic of the past. All information given to people by the Soviet media was perceived as absolutely reliable information, the information in which one should believe.
If we talk about freedom of speech in Azerbaijan, there are many things which the West should take into account when assessing this phenomenon.
Media in Azerbaijan developed in a situation of military aggression by neighboring Armenia. This fact imposes certain limits of self-censorship on local media. Sometimes it is perceived by outside forces as a restriction to freedom of speech.
The West must help Azerbaijan learn and properly create the media and develop proper understanding of freedom of expression.
License to buy weapons is not required in many U.S. states and weapons have led to tragic events many times. A word can have the same result if misused. Everyone willing to be called a journalist must remember his responsibility to society, which is sometimes not less than that of a doctor or a teacher.
