CONFERENCE “DEFAMATION AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN AZERBAIJAN” HELD IN BAKU

Baku, November 17 (AzerTAc). A conference entitled “Defamation and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan” was co-organized Monday by the Azerbaijan Press Council and Council of Europe (CoE) office in Baku.
CoE Secretary General`s special representative in Azerbaijan Veronika Kotek said there are certain successes in the law on freedom of speech and information in Azerbaijan. She added possible adoption of the law on defamation in the country will contribute to overcoming some problems.
Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Aflatun Amashov stressed the importance of the conference. He said journalists should face civil liability for defamation.
Head of sector of President Administration`s department of social and political affairs Vugar Aliyev said four thousands media outlets had been registered in Azerbaijan, adding hundreds of newspapers and magazines are published in the country without any intervention.
He underlined there are articles in the Constitution of Azerbaijan which grant journalists the right to freely express their opinions.