Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Ilhamgizi / Implementation of the state program on assistance to Azerbaijani press will begin in January or February 2008, the head of the Public and Political Department at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said to Trend on 28 November.
According to Hasanov, the Presidential Administration is developing a document on improvement of material and technical basis and management of advertisement market. It will envisage forms of assistance to press bodies. It has been already defined to which press organizations the assistance will be rendered and in accordance with which criteria press establishments requiring assistance will be selected. Hasanov did not release the details of assistance and the list of selected press bodies pledging that the program has not been yet completely developed.
Opposition press complaints advertisements are not placed in its newspapers and magazines and believes that is caused by a governmental order.
According to Hasanov there is no hidden political motive in that. "Advertisements are not placed also in pro-governmental newspapers. Press bodies should have the same advertisement opportunities as e-media. Therefore, the Presidential Administration is studying the causes for the problem and is developing solutions for it," Hasanov said.
Assistance to press will reflect providing press organizations with advertisements, he said.