Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Alizade / The agenda of a meeting between Ann Derse, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and members of the Press Council centered on freedom and word and press in Azerbaijan. The parties discussed in particular the conviction of Eynulla Fatullayev, the editor-in-chief of the Gundelik Azerbaijan and Realniy Azerbaijan newsperson and Ganimat Zahid, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Azadlyg, the Press Council said.
"We are seriously concerned about these issues," the diplomat said.
Nine journalists have been convicted in Azerbaijan in connection with their professional activities. They are accused of insulting and slandering honor and dignity of citizens. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper Azadlyg is the latest in this list.
According to the Ambassador the talks over the internet resources being under control also incites concern. Derse showed interest in resolving the situation and how her country could assist in the development of media in Azerbaijan.
Aflatun Amashov, the chairman of the Press Council, said that his organization is also seriously concerned about the conviction of journalists. "We do not support convictions of media representatives for their statements, and also consider that insulting the honor and dignity of citizens in the press is inadmissible. The Council appealed to the leadership of the country to release all journalists in the form of exclusion.
The meeting discussed the state of freedom and word in Azerbaijan, media problems and the methods in which to resolve them.