National press passed honorable development path: top official

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zerbaijani journalists praise President Ilham Aliyev’s merits and support his calls in practice, said Ali Hasanov, president’s aide for public and political affairs.

The top official made the remarks during an event dedicated to the 141st anniversary of Azerbaijan’s National Press on July 22.

Hasanov congratulated all media representatives and journalists on the 141st anniversary of the National Press. He noted that the important role of the national press, which has passed a difficult, but an honorable development path, in enlightening the people, popularizing the national values, its irreplaceable contribution to the development of Azerbaijani statehood, gives grounds to talk about its glorious history with a sense of pride.

After returning to power, National Leader Heydar Aliyev was giving special attention to the development of media, said Hasanov, adding that namely Heydar Aliyev declared July 22, the date of the first publication of Ekinchi newspaper, the National Press Day in Azerbaijan.

“Heydar Aliyev turned the freedom of expression and press, as well as the pluralism of opinions into a constitution norm in Azerbaijan. In 1998, he cancelled the censorship which was established in 1992 and was a serious obstacle to the development of the national press,” said Hasanov.

“The Press and Information Ministry was liquidated in 2000 and Azerbaijan abandoned the state control over media,” he added. “Thanks to the political will of the national leader and his great efforts, a democratic legislative framework regulating the activities of media outlets was created in Azerbaijan and there was established a basis of progressive traditions in relations between the state and media.”

Hasanov pointed out that currently, President Aliyev successfully continues the media policy and traditions, the foundation of which was laid by Heydar Aliyev.