Press Freedom Index 2013

Unintentionally I scrolled down. I knew Azerbaijan wont be anywhere in the high or middle ranking countries. If only Azerbaijani government wanted to strive to be first on every list, including one on press freedom. We are 156th among 179 countries (down by six places) ranked by Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index for 2013.

Why not strive to be like Finland? Or Norway? Alas, this wont be in line with our leadership's policies!

May I simply wish that as part of this New Year resolutions, the ruling party will make it its priority in setting an example of a country with highest standards of press freedom (and for real, without having to deny the truths and realities); release all of the imprisoned journalists, youth activists and promise a better future? 

Yes, childish and naive... Hey, its that time of the year when you could wish for anything...

Dialogue but only around election time

As I was reading this piece of news, I couldn't stop laughing. I am glad that our beloved Head of the Social and Political Department under the  Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov, remembered the existence of Azerbaijani opposition and also press (because at some point wasn't it Hasanov himself who claimed that there was no opposition whatsoever in Azerbaijan?!). In his comments during an event, the official was quoted saying:

A dialogue will be conducted with the opposition, press, political parties in Azerbaijan on the eve of presidential elections.

'Cuz there is no need for any dialogue prior to the elections?! And will this dialogue involve water canons and rubber bullets? Or will it be just about beating and torturing? Hmm... lets see, technically there is still time until the elections, so who knows, maybe there will be some special dialogue format organized in a place like Qobustan. I can tell you how its going to look. Opposition and independent press will be put in buses and taken to Qobustan, while political parties and other media will take their seats at one of the 5-Star hotels, sipping on their tea with lemon and laughing out loud applauding their recent dialogue with the opposition and the press and giving more press statements on the success of their diplomacy, the state of free media and prospering democracy. 

'Running scared: Azerbaijan's Silenced Voices'

This is one of the most recent reports about Azerbaijan and post- Eurovision situation with human rights, freedom of press, journalists and more.

To read this report in Azerbaijani click here.

Running Scared: Azerbaijan's Silenced Voices