By Aynur Karimova - AzerNews 

Baku hosted a solemn ceremony to mark the 140th anniversary of National Press of Azerbaijan and to award the media representatives who honored with the decrees of the Azerbaijani president on July 22.

The event attended by state and governmental officials, members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, as well as the well-known media representatives started with the performance of the national anthem.

A video on development history of Azerbaijan's national press has been demonstrated at the event.

Later, Azerbaijani President's Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov presented the awards to the media representatives.

Azerbaijan celebrates National Press Day every year on July 22. It commemorates the first release of the newspaper Akinchi (The Plowman), printed on this day in 1875, stretching the history of the Azerbaijani press back 140 years.

Founded by Azerbaijani journalist, teacher, scholar, and Moscow University alumnus Hasan Bey Zardabi, Akinchi played a paramount role in the formation and development of Azerbaijani national press.

Over the years, the Azerbaijani press has become a mirror of public opinion. Today, the press, often described as the fourth estate, contributes to the transparency of many processes in Azerbaijan. So far, the country has registered thousands of media outlets, many of which publish regularly.

In 1998, Azerbaijan's National Leader Heydar Aliyev abolished censorship. This decision gave impetus for the further development of the national press.

Today, Azerbaijan, a democratic state in the South Caucasus region, enjoys a free press atmosphere.

Azerbaijan’s national press, possessing rich historical traditions, contributed greatly to the realization of freedom goals, the preservation of moral values, and the founding and development of Azerbaijan as an independent state.

The Azerbaijani government has always provided the press with great attention and care during its years of independence, and enforced consistent measures to develop freedom of speech.