Azerbaijan bans journalists from publishing information from unofficial sources, rights groups
Azerbaijan’s parliament has adopted a new media law preventing journalists from publishing information from unofficial sources, rights groups as well as limiting their rights.
The law was passed despite mounting criticism from local journalists and protests in the city. The legislation is set to be signed by President Ilham Aliyev and become effective as of January 1, 2022.
The Eurasian country is ranked ‘Not Free’, according to a Freedom House, ranking 79 out of 100 in the body’s annual Freedom of the Press survey. Azerbaijani authorities use a range of measures to restrict the freedom of the media within the country.
On Thursday, the parliament approved the third and final reading of the bill amending the media law. The bill sets out the creation of a register of journalists and a single press card. Only journalists bearing this card and whose media organisations have been registered by the authorities will be officially recognised as such.
Journalists not on the database are liable to find their activities restricted, including their access to official sources, who will be able to ignore their questions.
The government will also be empowered to have a list of the personal details of all registered journalists and their media outlets, this includes their addresses and details of their bank accounts and work contracts.
The decision has garnered backlash from media rights groups such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) which has urged authorities to reconsider the bill’s changes to the country’s media law, which violates its constitution and the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The law “violates article 50 of the Azerbaijani constitution, on freedom of information, and article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), on freedom of expression,” Jeanne Cavelier, the head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said.
The government first introduced the idea of the new law in January 2021 following a presidential decree on “deepening media reforms in the Republic of Azerbaijan.” The decree also calls for the creation of a new media agency, the Media Development Agency (MEDIA), to replace the existing government institution, the State Support Fund for Mass Media Development.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Education
NUT backs suspension of resumption in federal unity colleges
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, the federal wing, has backed the suspension of resumption in all Federal Unity Colleges nationwide over the concession of King’s College, Lagos.
Anti-Corruption
Six Nigerian Black Axe cultists on extradition to U.S. over multimillion-dollar wire fraud
Six Nigerian Black Axe cultists have been scheduled for extradition to the U.S. over their involvement in romance scam and wire fraud.
Heading 4
Next ‘9/11’ attacks could be where we’re not looking: MI5 Chief
The 9/11 attacks claimed the lives of people across 77 countries, causing global mourning and eliciiting a vigorous push and change in the global fight against terrorism.
Economy
Diesel prices rise above $6 per gallon for first time ever in U.S.
The price of diesel surged to $6.06 per gallon, a first-time high in the U.S. that indicates the impact of the monthslong U.S.-Iran conflict.
World
Attempt to use AI to make biological weapons blocked, says Anthropic
Anthropic says it thwarted attempts by rogue elements to use its AI models for “malicious activity” that could support the development of biological weapons.
Abuja
FG begins paying exit benefits to civil servants, 175 retirees receive N1.1 billion
The federal government has begun paying the newly introduced exit benefit for retiring federal civil servants, with about N1.1 billion paid to 175 retirees.
