Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov 10 /Trend M. Aliyev/
Journalists should correctly choose the places during demonstrations and shouldn't clash with the forces employed to control the events, Head of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Ali Hasanov said at a workshop on "Security of journalists during public events" on Nov. 10.
He noted that the state-supported event with the participation of representatives of the state, the media and the OSCE is being held for the first time.
Citing the example of Idrak Abbasov, Hasanov noted that the use of force against him shows that he chose his place improperly.
Law enforcement authorities say he acted not as a journalist, but Abbasov himself said he was a journalist.
"Our goal is to more accurately determine how journalists should act during public events, what kind of uniform they should have, how their place should be determined," Hasanov said.
He noted that it is necessary to determine what kind of identification cards journalists should have, and which organization should determine these identification cards.
"There were cases when the detained illegal action member presented his card claiming to be a media representative," Hasanov said.
He said that such workshops aim to study the international experience in this field, adding that the media legislation in Azerbaijan is yet to be improved.
Hasanov said the workshop aims at sharing experiences in the management of information and ensuring of the freedom of speech and press, including troubleshooting.
"Issues related to the methodology of journalists' participation in public events, the relations between the police and the journalists involved in mass gatherings, journalists' conduct in mass events held by relevant organizations will be discussed during the three-day workshop," he noted.
Hasanov said Azerbaijan has improved the legislative framework in this area over the last ten years.
He noted that achievement of more secure and free coverage of events by journalists, without any involvement in them, in line with international standards will also be on focus at the workshop.
"In addition, we will seek to resolve the lack of order in the certification of reporters. All the responsibility in this work lies on the Press Council and editors-in-chief," Hasanov said.