Umud Rahimoghlu: “It is planned to hold an assemble of journalists in Azerbaijan that are writing mostly on Oil and Gas as well as Power engineering”<br /> <br /> As it was informed, Finland hosted IPI World Congress and 58th Assembly on June 6-9. Azerbaijan was represented by Umud Rahimoghlu, Chairman of Observation Council of Fund on Governmental Support for Mass Media Development, Director of IPI National Committee for Azerbaijan and Chairman of International Eurasia Press Fund; Lutful Kabir, International Adviser of International Eurasia Press Fund, and Azer Hesret, CASCFEN Chairman. Here is the interview of Umud Rahimoghlu regarding to the event which gathered together world journalists.<br />
– Umud bey, what was the main topic of the IPI World Congress?
– IPI World Congress and 58th Assembly was held in the “Finland House”, the most grandiose conference hall in Finland. There wasn’t any alteration in the agenda. Janne Virkunne, IPI Chairman, David Dadge, IPI Director, and Sauni Niisto, Speaker of Finland Parliament spoke at the opening ceremony. In this ceremony there was lectures on “North Democracy – Could it be a lesson to the world?”, “Russian revival, Does it mean the new Cold War?”, “International financial crisis and media”, “Can Asia capitalism exist without economy and media?” There were held discussions regarding press freedom, journalist’ defense, their social condition and other global issues. At the closing ceremony Tarja Halonen, the President of the Republic of Finland participated. In her speech, she supported press freedom and wished good luck to the next year’s host country of the IPI World Congress. She had also met with some of the country’s representatives. It was great feelings for us to observe journalists coming together from all over the world; however, it was a difficult moment watching the film dedicated to 5 Austrian journalists who had been killed by Indonesian soldiers in the East Timor, in 1975. All the horrible things about war have been demonstrated there. The first thing that comes to my mind while watching that movie was Karabakh war and Chingiz Mustafayev’s sob. Then I thought that we have to search the ways to deliver this kind of terrors to World Community’s attention.
– Who among well-known individuals had participated at that event apart from media representatives?
– 200 participants from 50 countries had represented their country. The President of the Republic of Finland, Mayor of Helsinki, Nokia authorities were among guests. After discussions on various issues based on the agenda, meals were organized for media representatives. During meals media problems and collaboration issues were also discussed. Moreover, speeches of hostage-journalists’ also raised big interests.
– Was there any decision made concerning holding next year’s event?
– There had been discussion by Executive Board of International Press Institute. As you know, Azerbaijan was also listed among pretension countries. However, after discussions it had been decided to hold IPI World Congress and 59th Assembly in Vienna and Bratislava. It should also be noted that, next year is the 60th Anniversary of IPI World Congress.
– Which meetings did Azerbaijanis representatives hold throughout the congress?
– The whole time in the congress we have had discussions and idea sharing with IPI Authorities and different National Committees of various countries. It is planned to hold one meeting of IPI National Committee in Azerbaijan. In the meetings the topical issue was the question of how to prepare strategy of IPI National Committee. Moreover, it is also expected to hold meeting of journalists who write mostly on Oil and Gas with Powering energy.
– What communiqués have been accepted in the Congress?
– In the congress the future activity of IPI had been discussed and resolutions regarding free expression had been accepted. There was also the acceptance of law in 27 European countries to exclude journalists’ imprisonments that are in charge with insult and criticism from Criminal Code. Countries which restrict free expression to much delivered messages from the Congress. By the way, “The law of defamation” is priority nowadays in our country. It is interesting that Europe, with big democratic traditions still hesitates to put forward these steps. Also it was accepted, an appeal to donor organizations about improvement of support to non-Governmental Organizations. As you know, 28 journalist have been killed throughout 2009; so to the family members of murdered journalists will be given financial support.
– Which influence does this kind of events demonstrate towards Azerbaijani media?
– Azerbaijan media is a part of World Media. Naturally, all positive steps in World media will be reflected on Azerbaijan media as well. I had once more assured that the number of press organs, their independent and expedient activity, adequate financial-technicality are all substantial indicators. Strong financial-technical basis supplies the economic-political independence of the newspapers. And this exactly determines influence in the community. Today, this factor is very important. That is, time is affecting low-value papers. Some countries has passed this milestone, while others have just started. We had observed the inevitability of this process in Helsinki.
IEPF Information Department