Azerbaijani journalists claim that government intimidation limits free speech.
Protesters gather outside the Azerbaijan embassy in London to protest the imprisonment of Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev (April 20, 2012). Creative Commons / Flickr user englishpen.
With a ranking of 162 (out of 179) on the latest Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, Azerbaijan democracy, especially freedom of the press, has been under greater scrutiny in recent months.
Azerbaijani journalists and activists paint a grim picture of its government – one that includes corruption, intimidation and fear. But some politicians in Europe tell a different story – one of a young country working toward democracy.
We examine the challenges facing Azerbaijan and why journalists feel they are under attack. In this episode of The Stream, we speak with award-winning journalist Khadija Ismayilova (@Khadija0576); Murad Gassanly, Director of the Azerbaijan Democratic Association UK; and Nargiz Gurbanova, Deputy Chief of Mission of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in the US.
What do you think? Why do Azerbaijani reporters say they face blackmail and beatings? Why don’t we hear more about this side of Azerbaijan? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.
New questions are being raised about freedom of the press in Azerbaijan. Few independent media sources exist, and many are run by members of President Ilham Aliyev’s family. Still, the government feels that some independent media outlets, in addition to cross border influence from Iran, have been ruining the country’s reputation with anti-government propaganda. In May, Presidential spokesperson Ali Hasanov called for “public hatred” against independent media.
On May 3, Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova was awarded a “Courage in Journalism Award” by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF).
Ismayilova has been the target of a smear campaign since March, when she received a package with pictures of her in a compromising position. The package also contained a threat to “defame” her if she did not “behave.” She responded to the blackmail with a defiant facebook post.
A week later, a video of Ismaylilova engaged in sexual activities with her boyfriend surfaced on the internet. Ismayilova claims the government planted the hidden camera in her bedroom. The government has denied the claims.
Ismayilova believes she has been targeted because of her investigative journalism, which points to corruption within the President’s family. The piece below reveals that residents of the village Chovdar were unaware that the President’s family has a major stake in a mining company that has displaced them.
Ismayilova has received widespread international support for her work. Howard Berman, a member of the United States House of Representatives wrote a letter to President Aliyev in May, expressing his concerns with the situation.
As Berman’s letter notes, Ismayilova is not the only journalist to have been intimidated by the government. The Human Rights Watch video below points to other examples. The video also discusses the controversial decision of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to allow Azerbaijan to host the popular Eurovision song contest in May. Many hoped the EBU would use the event to speak out against the government.
