Fuad Najafli, authorized representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, media and public representatives operating in the autonomous republic took part in the event organized in the “Duzdag” hotel.
At the event, the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs was commemorated with a minute of silence, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played.
Then, a short chronicle of the past 149 years, Freedom of speech and press founded by great leader Heydar Aliyev, a video prepared by Nakhchivan television about the creative environment established in our country as a result of the media reforms carried out by President Ilham Aliyev were demonstrated. Plenipotentiary representative Fuad Najafli in his speech assessed the first example of our national press, the publication of the newspaper “Ekinchi” in Azerbaijani by prominent intellectual and enlightener-publicist Hasan Bey Zardabi in 1875 on July 22 as an important event of the socio-political life of our country at that time. Touching upon the history of creating great opportunities for the formation and development of modern media in Azerbaijan, the plenipotentiary noted that as a result of the radical reforms carried out under the leadership of national leader Heydar Aliyev since 1993 and covering all spheres of public life, censorship, other artificial barriers limiting freedom of speech and information were eliminated in the country, consistent measures have been taken to improve its role in building civil society. As a result of this high political will, the principles of freedom of the press were established in our country, as well as an abundance of newspapers and magazines.
Fuad Najafli stressed that the development of information technologies in our country under the direct leadership of President Ilham Aliyev has turned the Azerbaijani press into a part of the global information network. Due to the fact that improving the social conditions of journalists is always in the center of attention of the head of state, one-time assistance is provided to media subjects, measures are being taken to strengthen the social protection of media workers. Also, orders on awarding journalists with honorary titles for their contribution to the development of the national press should be regarded as state care for the press and press workers.
The plenipotentiary brought to the attention that the Azerbaijani media adequately fulfilled its duty in both the first and second Karabakh wars and was a harbinger of the great victory of Azerbaijan. As our press, which has always successfully carried out its mission to propagate the realities of Azerbaijan, contributed to the information struggle of our country against enemy propaganda during the 44-day Patriotic War, it continues this work in the post-war period. The Azerbaijani media today also plays an active role in conveying to the country and the world community every opinion, every statement made by the head of state, victorious Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev on the Karabakh conflict, which has already become historical, and the truth about the situation in our liberated territories.
The plenipotentiaryalsonotedthat July22 is also the day when great leader Heydar Aliyev came to political power in Nakhchivan.The arrival of the genius person from Moscow to Baku in 1990 on July 20, and 2 days later to the Autonomous Republic, gave great hope and joy to the nakhchivans, and it was with this step that the foundations of the future independent Azerbaijan were determined.
FuadNajaflicongratulated media representatives and journalists on July 22 – National Press Day and wished them success in their activities.
Then there was a presentation of awards.
Employees of Nakhchivan TV and radio stations, “Sharg gapisi” newspaper editorial office, other media agencies operating in the Autonomous Republic, news agencies, as well as press services of state bodies were awarded in various nominations.
The event continued with the artistic part.
It should be noted that the event was organized by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Ministry of culture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the executive power of the Nakhchivan City, CJSC “television and Radio broadcasting of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” and the Council of Trade Unions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.