Ah good old bashing methods

So an outlet from Azerbaijan, known as AzerNews.az decided to bash at BBC. In their piece published today "Why Islamophobia - source of anti- Azerbaijani campaign on BBC?" the publication claims that "BBC is nothing but a propaganda machine, with groundless, cheap accusations. This propaganda mouthpiece has already gained popularity with its Islamophobic and anti-Turk policy [what is anti-Turk policy I wonder, anti-Turkey maybe?]". It also says, "Experts suggest that the BBC should have investigated the claims of British NGOs about the fact that actual expenditures of the Olympics exceeded the initial budget by three times". It also calls into questioning the spending for the Pan American Games, hosted by Canada. 

AzerNews forgets to mention who are the so-called "experts" are who suggest that BBC should investigate claims of British NGOs. 

AzerNews also forgets to mention the GDP of the UK or Canada. 

But the most important thing AzerNews seems to forget to mention is Azerbaijan's ranking on the Global Corruption Index where Azerbaijan is placed 126 among 175 while UK ranks 14 and Canada 10. 

It is a bit funny and ironic when a pro-govt. media outlet bashes an international media outlet and thinks its going to cause a bang. 

This incident brings to mind President Erdogan's claims against foreign outlets like the New York Times, the Guardian and others. Authoritarian leaders use some of the same bashing language and this is clearly visible. But that is normal since they are not used to it at home where independent voices are increasingly silenced. But its even more ironic, because Azerbaijan and Turkey often mention and pride themselves in their symbolic "brotherhood" connection. Well looks like the two brothers might be more alike than they know. 

Azerbaijan and Eurovision (post no. 19098942093)

Here is a piece of gossip you probably missed watching Eurovision today. A young man, by the name of Rauf Mardiyev sent me a tweet calling me "brainwashed" and "stupid" (indirectly that is, through his tweets) following tweets being sent out throughout the last give or take few years about Azerbaijan, its poor democratic and human rights record, not to mention issues and problems existing with free press, and freedom to speak one's mind. It turns out, Azerbaijan's democracy is limited to only praises and words of gratitude because when it comes to criticism its not all ok. 

Translation: @arzugeybulla Will you write anything positive about this #Eurovision? Why don't you understand (your brain doesn't take it literally), what you are doing is damaging #Azerbaijan in the first place

Now, personally I would love to raise praising words when it comes to Azerbaijan, was there a democracy I would be the first to say cheers! Would there be free press and respect for Azerbaijani journalists, I would be the first to say cheers! But Rauf, as long as none of this exists, people continue going through corrupted universities and schools, patients continue to pay bribes in hospitals and fail to receive proper health care there is nothing to praise this country for. Of course, we might have different perceptions of praise- as you say "thousands like you" see Azerbaijan as a shining beacon of whatever it is that you see it to be but as I have said it already earlier today, I am going to repeat it again- WAKE UP! 

Yes, Eurovision brought us the Crystal Hall, but at what costs? I much rather prefer couple of hundreds thousands spent on our very own pensioners, on the costs of drugs they need to get, make it free or at least equally accessible for all among so many things that could be done to make lives of Azerbaijani people better.

Yes, it is also true that Eurovision brought us the city beautification, but again, at what costs? So you don't care about those Azerbaijanis who still have no water, gas, or electricity constantly running in their homes in villages all the while you and the tens of thousands like you prefer watching Eurovision and indulge yourself in wealth that is not equally distributed, nor equally accessible to other young people like you. 

If you think there is something good to say about Eurovision then talk about illegal evictions our government carried out. You should also talk about beaten, arrested journalists in prisons. Or, wait, I know, you should praise our country for blackmailing, it does it really well. 

You might be one of the hundreds of thousands but the value and weight of spoken truth is so much more than the people like you. You are trying to tell a story backwards but what you are failing to see is that the story was already told, many times and just like me, people who know, know... So if you think that by sending me few tweets as the one above, calling me brainwashed I am going to be ashamed of my actions and become a "different" person then you are mistaken (in fact, I am not sure all together why you send me tweets to this day, didn't way close this subject a while ago when you continuously decided for some reason to take up your issues with me as if I am the only person who writes about our inspirational country?). I choose honesty over whatever it is you live and propagate for.

Maybe after watching this report on Azerbaijan (watch on BBC) you will at least stop harassing me on Twitter. Peace out!

Here are the rest of the tweets we exchanged after the initial one: 

"Azerbaijan "upset" by foreign rights watchdogs' reports"

The following statement was made by the head of the public and political department of the presidential administration Ali Hasanov, after Human Rights and Freedom House assessments' of the country.

"The annual reports by Human Rights Watch and Freedom House on the human rights and freedoms situation in Azerbaijan do not reflect the "objective reality", the head of the public and political department of the presidential administration, Ali Hasanov, has said in an interview with Turan (Azerbaijan News Agency)".

In the same statement Ali Hasanov added, that Azerbaijan being an independent state forms its domestic and foreign policies "on the basis of the will of the people". 

Ali Hasanov, made a bold statement after Presidential elections in October of 2008 stating "Democratic, just and transparent elections were held in Azerbaijan. These elections are the best and the most democratic elections in Azerbaijan". According to him, the opposition didn't participate in the elections simply because it new that the President Ilham Aliyev, would with the majority. Ali Hasanov added "non-participation of opposition in the elections is not authorities' fault. If opposition wants legitimacy, it should participate in the elections".

All this, really makes me wonder...Maybe Azerbaijan really is a DEMOCRACY. It is just none of us (independent observers, political analysts, public, International Organizations) understand its true intentions...  

The following are just some of the points mentioned in the annual report on the state of human rights, released by the International Human Rights Watch organization:

- Azerbaijan failed to demonstrate improvements in human rights during October 2008 presidential elections;

- Freedom of assembly and media was restricted during elections;

- Opposition was prevented by authorities from organizing demonstrations;

About the situation overall:

- Journalists and human rights defenders who are critical of the state continue facing pressure, harassment and arrest;

- Three international radio services- BBC, Radio Free Europa/ Radio Liberty and Voice of America- were taken off their radio waves and made accessible only through satellite receiver or the internet;

- Torture and ill- treatment in custody continues to be a widespread problem...

http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/wr2009_web.pdf