Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend E.Huseynov / Proposals on injecting changes to some laws concerning press and its relations with the public have been developed in Azerbaijan. Particularly, there is a proposal on closing down publications after several warnings, Aflatun Amashov, the Chairman of the Press Council, stated at a conference on 'Press and Society' in Baku on 21 June.
Amasov noted that the normalization of relations between the press and society is a social order.
The Head of the Press Council stressed that only a small part of the press was independent and in Azerbaijan and the politicization of the major part causes public condemnation. Since the very moment of the establishment of the council, it has received many appeals complaining about journalists' activities. They are mainly related to the offence of honour and dignity of people. The financial independence of press and weak advertisement market promote such negative problems.
'Racket journalism' has increased so much that it has raised public disagreement towards the press. Only 600 of the 3,000 officially registered publications currently function in the country,' he added.
Amashov also noted that proposals developed and presented to the Azerbaijani State Commission on Students Admission on the increase of professional skills of journalists.