MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND THE DEMOCRACY PROCESSES
Chapter 4
4.2. Flow of Information
One of the major indicators of the democratic development in a country is the degree of freedom available to the mass media. At the moment, free mass media is one of the significant achievements of ongoing processes of democracy in Azerbaijan. In addition, active use of the Internet has considerably extended the opportunities of mass media to access and to disseminate information. Recently, the number of Azeri newspapers and magazines, which have Web sites, has significantly increased, enabling them to expand their readership. Also, ICT has ensured feedback and the opportunity for people to voice opinions on the issues being discussed, thereby influencing the formulation of topics covered by print and electronic media. According to data from the UN Global Human Development Report 2002, an environment for free dissemination of information has been created in the country; however, this process needs to be further enhanced.
One of the forms of direct contact between the people of Azerbaijan and recognized statesmen or public figures is via Internet forums. These forums have been conducted by the Echo newspaper on its Web page. In the course of the forum, the participants voice their attitude to the guest of the forum through voting, asking questions and voicing opinions on various issues such as the economy, policy and culture. Participants of such forums are not only the citizens who live within the country but may also be those living abroad as well as foreigners. Since November 2000, there have been 118 politicians, scientists, literature and arts figures as guests on these forums.
Mass media is becoming more and more confident in standing up for their rights and freedom through public self-organization and self-government. The Council for Mass Media, which was established upon the initiative of a number of journalistic organizations, should be considered an essential element towards further development of the freedom of mass media. The Council for Mass Media is a public organization, which attempts to resolve problems between specific media, the community and mass media. They try to resolve cases before the issues result in court cases, which, according to some representatives of opposition minded mass media, is being used as a tool to pressure them.
According to the new law, “On Television and Radio Broadcasting”, a National Board for Television and Radio (NBTR) has been established to control the observance of the legislative requirements for electronic media and, in particular, to issue licenses to independent television and radio companies, to conduct relevant competitions, and to provide for effective use of broadcasting channels (frequencies). The relevant Handbook envisages the constructive and impartial activity of NBTR members. This document does not permit judicial and executive power officials, or persons engaged in any other government paid job (with the exception of pedagogical and creative activity) to be a member of the NBTR. Representatives of various branches of power are prohibited from giving any instruction to NBTR members. In addition, every two years one third of the NBTR staff is to be replaced by new members through rotation. According to the Handbook, the President of the country has no right to dismiss any NBTR member from his position until his term of authority expires. However, the multi-stage procedure of formation of this body, in accordance with which nominees for the Board have to pass selection by a commission prior to being submitted for approval by President, creates, to a certain extent, bureaucratic problems for the independent members, as well as for the representatives of opposition parties from joining the Board.
Because of commitments, which Azerbaijan took when joining the Council of Europe, a public television channel must be established in the country in the near term. However, relevant laws have not yet been adopted by the country's Parliament Milli Majlis. Many experts believe that in the draft law on public television, some provisions do not correspond to European standards. For example, according to Article 13 of the proposed draft law, the Director General of the public television / radio broadcasting channel has authority to refuse political parties from disseminating electoral agitation materials if the Director General considers such production contains “information contradicting the true goals of the electoral process”.
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