BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 11. A meeting dedicated to equal campaigning options and the basics of the activities of media subjects in Azerbaijan's presidential election has been held by joint organization of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Media Development Agency, Audiovisual Council and Azerbaijan Press Council, Trend reports.
The event is a part of awareness projects on diverse directions, which are intensively continue to be implemented in connection with early presidential election scheduled for February 7, 2024 in Azerbaijan.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panahov emphasized that representatives of the media have been actively involved in the electoral process from day one and have thoroughly covered the matters related to the event.
He noted the importance of always highly appreciating the role of the media in election and urged media outlets to take measures promptly to address any shortcomings.
Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov highlighted that after the 2020 second Karabakh war, culminating in Azerbaijan's victory thanks to the determination of President Ilham Aliyev, new political realities have emerged in the country and the region simultaneously.
"Appreciating the development of independent media serving our national interests as one of the top priorities of the state, President Ilham Aliyev has always highly valued the work of journalists and specifically highlighted the role of the media in conveying Azerbaijani realities to the local and international audience," he said.
"In his address to the international media forum, which took place for the first time in Shusha on the National Press Day in 2022, the important tasks set by the head of state before journalists remain relevant," added the official.
Chairman of the Audiovisual Council of Azerbaijan Ismat Sattarov said that the biggest responsibility in the election campaign falls on public broadcasting.
Although all broadcasters financed from the state budget perform the functions of public broadcasters, election campaigning must be carried out by the Public Television and Radio Company, which is legally recognized as a public broadcaster, he explained.
The chairman mentioned that a public broadcaster should also have reserve airtime for the election campaign on a paid basis.
The amount and terms of payment for all registered candidates, according to him, should be the same, and the relevant information about it should be published no later than 30 days from the day of official publication of the decree on the appointment of election.
The total amount of reserve airtime, which the public broadcaster will provide on a paid basis, by Article 80.5 of the Electoral Code, cannot be less than the total amount of free airtime provided (three hours) and more than twice as much, Sattarov said.
He emphasized that the norm of using spare airtime on a paid basis for each registered candidate is determined by dividing the total amount of time by the total number of registered candidates.
The Press Council Chairman Rashad Majid noted that Azerbaijani media have significant experience in covering elections, and at the same time, it's essential to know the opinions of members of the Central Election Commission regarding paid and unpaid campaigning.
Majid said that, as in previous years, the media will participate responsibly in the upcoming February 7 election, which will play a crucial role in the life of the Azerbaijani people.
Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly a risk of spreading fake news on social media against one candidate or another, and in such cases, professional media should react timely, he pointed out.
"February 7 will soon become one of the most glorious festive days in the history of Azerbaijan. In all these matters, immense responsibility lies on the shoulders of our people, the voters. Let the whole world see that the Azerbaijani people care about their future. There is no doubt that Azerbaijani media should be at the forefront of these processes," said the chairman.
Then, CEC members spoke on the topics of "General requirements for pre-election campaigning in the presidential election of the Republic of Azerbaijan, subjects of pre-election campaigning, their rights, and responsibilities" and "Role and responsibilities of media subjects in the paid and gratuitous pre-election campaigning process".
During the presentations, detailed information was provided to the participants on the coverage of the electoral process, ensuring transparency, and the role and tasks of the media during the pre-election campaign and on the voting day.
The meeting, attended by the leaders and representatives of organizing structures, as well as the leaders and representatives of leading media entities, concluded after exchanging opinions and discussing questions requiring clarification.
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