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Article 19 organizations released the report prepared as a result of the study conducted in Azerbaijan concerning the freedom of expression since spring of 2008. APA reports that a press conference was held in connection with this. The study was conducted together with Azerbaijani New Generation Journalists Union and Media Rights Institute. Chairman of the New Generation Journalists Union Arif Aliyev said the study was conducted in four directions – answering the questionnaires sent to the government bodies, conducting polls among various classes of the society, interviewing experts and government officials and monitoring of the suits raised on freedom of expression in courts.
Head of European programs of Article 19 organization Natalie Losekoot said the aim of the study and report is to analyze the situation in ensuring freedom of information in Azerbaijan after the adoption of the law on “Getting information”. Natalie Losekoot said approximately half of the questionnaires sent to the government agencies during the study were not answered. Losekoot said the result coincided with the interviews and other polls and noted that the report also envisaged a number of recommendations. “We want these recommendations to be applied, not to remain on paper,” she said. Natalie Losekoot also underlined that there was no mechanism for the application of the law on “Getting information”.
