Azeri media watchdog wants "urgent measures" to end violence against
reporters

Turan news agency
17 Aug 06

Baku, 17 August: The chairman of the Press Council, Aflatun Amasov,
had a meeting today with the head of the public-political department
of the presidential administration, Ali Hasanov.

The meeting discussed the situation surrounding the media in the recent
period, the press service of the Press Council reported. Specifically,
they discussed the abduction of the editor-in-chief of Bizim Yol
newspaper [and deputy chairman of the People’s Front of Azerbaijan
Party], Bahaddin Haziyev, as well as other cases of violence against
journalists and the increase in the number of lawsuits against the
mass media. Amasov said that it is necessary to take urgent measures
to prevent such incidents.

On the other hand, Hasanov said that every person has the right to
go to court. He sees the way out of the situation in journalists’
respect for people’s honour and dignity.

Amasov also had a meeting with the interior minister [Ramil Usubov]
today.

They agreed to hold a round table to discuss relations between the
police and the mass media on 19 August.

The round table will be attended by high-ranking officials of the
Interior Ministry, including the minister himself, members of the
Press Council and heads of several media outlets.