ASSA-Irada,
4, April 2008

US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse has said the conditions for journalists' activity in the country have extremely complicated in the past years.

Derse was commenting on the hunger strike being held by several local journalists demanding a release of their jailed counterparts.

She said the United States backed free and fair activity of Azerbaijani media. "A free media abiding by ethical norms is an indicator of democratic development."

The ambassador said the media, in conjunction with independent judiciary and legislative authorities, creates a balance in public opinion on ongoing developments. "The government should provide suitable conditions, while the media should exert its power and authority for the sake of citizens' interests."

The envoy emphasized that people should have unfettered access to information and be able to play an active role in society.

Several journalists have joined a hunger strike started on March 26 by the jailed editor of the Russian-language weekly Realny Azerbaijan and the Azeri-language daily Gundalik Azerbaijan newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev. The protesters call on the Council of Europe and the OSCE to put forth specific mechanisms to protect journalists' rights in Azerbaijan. Fatullayev was convicted on charges of posing a terrorist threat, inciting inter-ethnic rifts and tax evasion last year.*