Editor's note: New statements by Ali Hasanov and Aflatun Amashov were added in the article
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 10 / Trend M.Aliyev /
The Azerbaijani national press has a rich tradition and history, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration's Social and Political Department Head Ali Hasanov said at the ceremony of awarding the Azerbaijani journalists. The press passed a difficult path during the country's independence, he said.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed decrees on "Awarding media representatives with honorary titles", "Providing media outlets with a one-time financial assistance", "Awarding media representatives with "Tereggi" medal" and "Measures to strengthen social protection of media representatives" on July 22.
The logistics of the national press is in the process of strengthening, Hasanov said. The Azerbaijani government pays a great attention to the media development and strengthening of the logistics of media.
In Azerbaijan, each journalist regardless the interests of which camp he defends is under the state care, Hasanov said.
"The national press has passed a serious and long-term path of development since early 1991. Azerbaijan has formed professional journalism and the country's media can adequately represent Azerbaijan in the global media space. The Azerbaijani authorities' policy in the field of mass media has three basic principles, including the creation of a legislative framework for development of the press, providing the material basis for establishment and development of media and improvement of journalistic ethics," he said.
Hasanov said the journalism is the most responsible area, which plays an important role in shaping public opinion. The concept of the national press, founded by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, now being successfully implemented by President Ilham Aliyev," he said.
"The national legislation governing relations between the independent media and society, the principles of modern journalism and its moral code is of particular importance in today's world. The improvement of legislation on the establishment of the media outlets and strengthening its logistic is also important in this context," Hasanov added.
Hasanov named the journalistic ethics, which governs the relations between media and society, as one of the highlights in the development of media. "Journalism is a responsible sphere of activity, which forms society and civic opinion, and it requires a high professionalism and high moral values from every journalist," Hasanov said.
The current level of Azerbaijan's development tasks journalists to treat their work with great responsibility, Azerbaijani Press Council Chairman Aflatun Amashov said at the event.
He said more than 300 journalists have received honorary titles over the past five years.
The state pays special attention to support the media development in Azerbaijan, Amashov said noting that the country allocated five million manat to build houses for 100 journalists.
