Minister: Azerbaijani people concerned about coup attempt in Turkey
All Azerbaijani people are concerned about the coup attempt in Turkey, Shahin Mustafayev, Azerbaijani economy minister, said in an interview with the Turkish Yeni Shafak newspaper on July 26.
Creating and developing independent, powerful media outlets which provide objective information and adhere to the principles of statehood and national interests and are able to protect Azerbaijan’s fair position in the global information space, is the philosophy of President Aliyev’s media policy, according to the top official.
“It should be taken into account that under the conditions of expanding global network, disappearing borders of national information spaces, strengthening monopoly of transnational resources over the flow of information, the fulfillment of these tasks is essential for every state and people who try to preserve their independence, identity, national and spiritual values and historical traditions,” he added.
Hasanov pointed out that Azerbaijani journalism praises President Aliyev’s merits and supports his actions.
The top official mentioned that it is not accidental that the country’s journalists named Ilham Aliyev “The Friend of Journalists” in 2010 and 2013.
Ali Hasanov went on to say that destabilization, civil strives, and social disaster along with other negative cases in various countries, have already turned into today’s reality.
The tendencies of control over global information space are strengthening, said Hasanov, adding that various external circles try to instill their views to the whole world through transnational media resources, to direct people within certain interests, and regrettably, they achieve this to some extent.
“Currently, we see that intolerance towards representatives of various races, peoples and religions has increased in the countries that present themselves as a sample of democracy and we see that they are drawing back from multicultural values and tolerance,” said the top official.
“The transnational media support the clash of interests of various circles and encourage interference into various states’ internal affairs, coups and civil strives,” he added.
“But we can say with sense of pride that the Azerbaijani society, in which tolerance has predominated for centuries, rejects these negative tendencies,” said Hasanov. “As distinct from many countries, Azerbaijan is a place where not mutual tolerance, but mutual respect for various peoples, ethnic groups and religions is protected.”
By promoting the multicultural values in the world, Azerbaijan is once again showing that all people, regardless of religion and national identity, can live on the same land in a prosperous, friendly and brotherly atmosphere, Hasanov said.
Naturally, here the role of Azerbaijani media, as well as its contribution to strengthening the harmony in the society should be mentioned, he said.
“I believe this is the national media’s response to the Azerbaijani president’s call and adherence to “Ekinchi” traditions,” he added.
Hasanov pointed out that currently, the success of Azerbaijani media in the global information space is also the success of Azerbaijani people.
“Today, the signature of a journalist who presents Azerbaijan to the world with its entire grandiosity, modernity and tolerance atmosphere is also the signature of Azerbaijani people,” said the top official.
“Every journalist should speak conscientiously, taking into account their state, should be able to protect our national interests, promote and protect the Azerbaijani state for which we have fought for centuries and where today we live proudly,” said Hasanov.
“The ‘Ekinchi’ newspaper and our subsequent media, Hasan bey Zardabi and his numerous followers lived with this purpose and dedicated their meaningful lives to Azerbaijanism, idea of independence and the well-being of their people,” said the top official. “I believe the Azerbaijani media should always follow this path and adhere to its traditions and history.”
“You can be sure that the Azerbaijani state will always stand by your side and will meet your needs,” said Hasanov.
Later the evening featured the awarding ceremony, where the High Media Awards were presented to the winners.
Writer and publicist, PhD in Philology Sona Veliyeva was awarded the High Media Award of the first degree for her novel "The path leading to the light" about the founder of Azerbaijan's national press Hasan bey Zardabi.
The High Media Award of the second degree awarded to Head of the International Eurasian Printing Foundation Umud Rahimoglu for promoting Azerbaijani realities, and Editor of the Baku Press Center Musallam Hasanov for a long fruitful activity in the field of media.
The High Media Award of the third degree was presented for a continued fruitful activity in the sphere of media to Seyfeddin Huseynli, Deputy Chief Editor of 525ci qәzet newspaper, Azer Ayhan, deputy chief editor of Yeni Müsavat newspaper, Aida Eyvazova, journalist and publicist; Rafig Sadikhov, editor in chief of Gencenin sesi newspaper and Rashid Huseynov, journalist and publicist.