Anar Khanbeyli 29.12.08 Baku, Turan News Agency, Azerbaijan is going to be a Democratic Monarchy? (part2)
International media freedom experts analyse amendments and changes to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, which are related to freedom of speech. Prohibition of video, audio and photo recording against person’s will is among the most important changes, Miklosh Harashti, OSCE special representative on media freedom, said in his interview to Voice of America (VOA) radio.
He said the European practice of getting preliminary permission for video and audio recording is in journalists’ favour. This matter is to a greater extent ethical and professional problem for media representatives, added Harashti.
He said the necessity to get permission for video and audio recording at public events, including rallies and etc., looks kind of “ridiculous.” The demand to observe this ban looks like limitation of media freedom.
Harashti said Europe has resolved this problem long ago. “In Azerbaijan this practice will be introduced after three months following the referendum. Harashti reminded that other post-Soviet republics tried to resolve this issue in a legal way, but in fact it has turned into prohibition and suffocation of freedom of speech.
He believes that getting and distribution of information, which is of public importance, must not be regarded as violation of ethics. “In the Eastern countries journalists get information of public importance, take pictures or make audio and video recording at the cost of arrest,” said Harashti.
He said this issue must be considered taking into account commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan to OSCE. “The country has committed itself to observe pluralism, develop and protect it. I think that even if amendments and changes related to media freedom are inserted into the Constitution of Azerbaijan, they will not become the subject of speculation in the future. I once again urged Azerbaijani authorities to accelerate work on adoption of the law on defamation and remove this item from the Criminal Code,” Miklosh Harashti said.
Tags: Azerbaijan
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