Posted: 4 October 2010
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
The Media Diversity Institute, as part of the International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan, participated in a three-day freedom of expression mission to Azerbaijan from 7-9 September 2010, during which the Patnership Group met with journalists, civil society activists, and government officials, and collected testimonies of violations of freedom of expression.
Organisations participating in The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan are ARTICLE 19, Media Diversity Institute, Freedom House, Index on Censorship, International Federation of Journalists, Open Society Foundations, Press Now, Reporters Without Borders and World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.
In Azerbaijan, journalists, bloggers and activists face serious and widespread systemic challenges and are forced to carry out their work in a climate of endemic impunity and under persistent pressure from the authorities.
Executive director of MDI, Milica Pesic discussed freedom of expression in Azerbaijan with former Chief Editor of Azerbaijan’s daily newspapers “Azadlik”, Ganimat Zahid.
The international mission called for an extensive, inclusive, multi-stakeholder consultation to support the implementation of a voluntary code of ethics and rigorous professional standards for journalists.
In addition, they called on the international community, particularly those countries with economic and political ties to Azerbaijan, to hold the government accountable for its freedom of expression record.
To read a full statement by The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan click here
