Only 2-3 per cent of Azerbaijanis Read Newspapers Regularly

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 18 2006

Turan 18/07/2006 21:43

"Puls" center conducted poll of people in 12 cities and 15 regions
among various social groups. It was revealed that only 2.8% respondents
regularly read newspapers, 70.8% do not read them or read them very
seldom; 29% say that newspapers are not interesting; 21% do not have
money to buy newspapers, 9.2% complain of the absence news- stalls,
and 7% do not show an interest in newspapers.

This information was released today during a press-conference led by
the editor-in-chief of "Gun Sahar" newspaper Arif Aliyev.

In Baku 60% do not read newspaper, and in regions – 90%; 13.4%
respondent state they read several newspapers, and 70-80% do not read
newspapers at all. Most respondents read newspapers in news-stalls,
and only 3.5% subscribe to newspapers. Most of readers are interested
in analytical and critical materials. Materials on Karabakh are on the
first place on their rating (53%), international and other subjects
are on the second place. According to 30% respondents, if newspapers
are interesting they will be readable. 66% say that people do not
read newspapers due to the population’s low solvency.

The poll was conducted at the order of the "Newspaper Consortium,"
which was created at the end of last year and includes "Gun
Sahar," "Echo," "Ayna-Zerkalo," "525-Gazet," "Azadlig," and "Yeni
Musavat".-05C04-