Azerbaijani Presidential Administration: Europe must standardize media policy toward all countries

Azerbaijan is prepared to adopt a law on defamation, but Europe should have standard and impartial attitude to all countries regarding media policy and defamation, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department head Ali Hasanov told journalists on Monday.

He said the requirements envisaged for one country should be applied to another country as well.

"The authorities’ position on defamation is unequivocal," Hasanov stressed. "At the Press Council’s meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan has already suspended practice of arrest for journalistic activity for several years," he added.

He said the Press Council has a draft on defamation, with which the European organizations are familiarized.

"We believe that this year, the law could be adopted. Azerbaijani authorities’ will lies in further developing and deepening the principles that serve political pluralism and freedom of speech and press and expansion of the range of free media," Hasanov added.


/Trend/