Azerbaijani media has entered a new stage of reforms in order to adapt to modern challenges and respond more flexibly, the Media Development Agency CEO, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation Ahmad Ismayilov said during the Khazar Media Forum "Business Journalism and Business Communications" held in Astrakhan.
On January 12, 2021, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the Decree 'On deepening reforms in the field of media in the Republic of Azerbaijan'. With this, a new stage of reforms in the field of media has begun. Providing state support for strengthening the economic independence of media subjects is one of the important directions for us. For this purpose, as well as for the development of other directions in the field of media and the implementation of relevant projects, the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established according to this decree.
He recalled that on July 22 of this year, representatives of the Azerbaijani media celebrated professional holidays by holding an International Media Forum in Shusha: "At the International Media Forum held in Shusha, we exchanged views on the current problems of the modern media environment with foreign press representatives and experts from about 20 countries of the world, as well as representatives of international organizations in the media field."
According to him, one of the important factors in the development of the media sector in Azerbaijan is the Law 'On Media', which came into force on February 8 this year: "This law defines several progressive norms for improving the activities of print media and internet media subjects. In addition, on February 8 this year, the head of state changed the rules for issuing mortgage loans. As a result, journalists with certain experience in this field, including journalists who are members of a young family, had the right to use the preferential mortgage loan provided with state support to buy an apartment."
Ismayilov said that the establishment of reliable cooperative relations with foreign organizations also plays an important role in the development of the media sector: "Azerbaijani media expands relations both on the international platform and through bilateral ties. In this sense, special attention is paid to the countries of the Caspian region."
The executive director of the Media Development Agency emphasized the importance of discussing the issue of information activities and cooperation at the regional level within the framework of the Khazar Media Forum: "We are sure that the Khazar Media Forum, which began with the participation of officials, media experts, public figures, and journalists, will be of great importance in terms of discussing modern problems in the field of media and communication and searching for relevant solutions."