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Azerbaijani Press Council Chairman considers 2008 successful year for media

Society Materials 19 December 2008 20:04 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 19/ corr. Trend A. Huseynbala/ 2008 is possible to be considered successful for media outlets, according to Press Council of Azerbaijan. "In 2008 correspondents were rarely put under pressure, there were less problems while getting information as compared to with last years," Aflatun Amashov, chairman of the Press Council, told Trend on Dec. 19.

More than 3,300 media outlets have been registered in Azerbaijan. Presently, of them, more than 600 function. Approximately 400 newspapers and magazines are published. Nearly 20 TV channels broadcast.

About 50 online media centers, 20 news agencies, Internet resources operate in Azerbaijan.

Chairman of Council spoke of successful fight with journalist racket.

"A committee charged with journalist racket was set up under the Council. In the end of 2008, we will publish a list of some newspapers dealing with racket. Journalist racket reduced, but the process doesn't reach a desirable level. The problem is connected with poor financial provision of media.

So, they are in search of certain clandestine ways to operate, set relations with some public political organizations and businessmen," Amashov said.

One of memory facts of 2008 is liquidation of fines charged by court, he said.

"By Presidential elections, we achieved to open frozen accounts of some opposition newspapers under Press Council's initiative," Amashov said.

Press Council hoped for freeing jailed journalists.

"We worry of the jailed journalists and appealed to the Committee on Pardon. I think we will achieve their discharge in near future," chairman of Press Council, said.

In 2008 the Press Council prepared and submitted documents on establishment of a Media Assistance Fund to the Presidential Administration, Amashov said.

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