Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr E. Huseynli / Abolishment of censorship negatively affected development of Azerbaijani press. "Problems arose among Azerbaijani journalists and the public after abolishment of censorship," Ali Hasanov, the head of the social and political department at the Executive Administration of the Azerbaijani President, said to journalists on 20 November.
Censorship for Azerbaijani media was abolished in 1998. In accordance with the changes made in the Azerbaijani legislation, licensing enabling functioning of press establishments was also abolished.
The editor-in-chief of the Monitor magazine Elmar Huseynov was murdered and nine journalists were arrested after the abolishment.
According to Hasanov, the main reason for the problems which journalists and the public face is disrespectful attitude of several media representatives to the rights of other people. Several journalists insult honour and dignity of citizens which results in illegal actions with respect to journalists and causes damage to the image of Azerbaijan. Professionalism of Azerbaijani journalists should be improved, Hasanov said.