Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 10 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
The Azerbaijani Ombudsman's Office is ready to effectively and impartially carry out its new responsibilities to protect the rights of media.
"If media power is transferred to me, I am ready to exert all possible efforts for this organization to work effectively, impartially and fairly," Elmira Suleymanova, the Azerbaijani ombudsman, said today while commenting on the proposed transfer of media powers to her office.
A bill on transferring media powers to the human rights commissioner was discussed at a joint meeting of the parliamentary human rights, legal policy and state-building committees earlier this week. The bill was recommended for consideration at a meeting of parliament.
The ombudsman said she has significant experience to cope with this task.
"Some people doubt my ability because of my workload," she said. "But if this power is transferred to me, a new staff will be created. Professional journalists will be involved."
The Azerbaijani Press Council opposes transferring media power to the ombudsman.
In this regard, the council has sent an appeal to President Ilham Aliyev, the organization said.
If a separate media organization is established, the ombudsman will be ready to closely cooperate, Suleymanova said.