GOAJ AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AGREE ON STEPS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000857 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM AJ SUBJECT: GOAJ AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AGREE ON STEPS TO IMPROVE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT REF: BAKU 758 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Donald Lu per 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Following Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev's commitment to launch an informal working group on media freedom (ref),Presidential Political Advisor Ali Hasanov met July 3 with representatives of the OSCE, COE and like-minded diplomatic missions to develop recommendations to improve Azerbaijan's media environment. The group agreed on the following recommendations: the GOAJ should pardon journalists currently in jail; the GOAJ should signal that defamation suits are not constructive; the GOAJ should present new legislation that will strengthen the media's financial sustainability; the GOAJ should establish a mechanism for regular dialogue with the press; and the international community should work with journalists to strengthen their professionalism. While this was a positive discussion and an important sign of the GOAJ's willingness to address these issues, Hasanov's continued insistence that journalists are to blame -- and disturbing hints at efforts to regulate major corporations' ability to advertise as they see fit -- indicate that the GOAJ continues to miss some of the key political points regarding its relations with the media. End summary. ¶2. (C) Following Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev's commitment to the "Friends of Azerbaijan" to launch an informal working group on media freedom (reftel), Presidential Political Advisor Ali Hasanov met July 3 with key diplomatic missions to develop recommendations to improve Azerbaijan's media environment. The Council of Europe's (COE) Head of Mission hosted the event, and Chiefs of Mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),the United Nations, and Norway participated. France, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom were represented by their Charges d'Affaires; the U.S. was represented by Pol/Econ Chief, and Germany was represented by a poloff. The COE stressed that this should be an informal, discreet discussion; the U.S. and the OSCE urged that it focus on developing concrete recommendations and mechanisms to address the current, serious problems in Azerbaijan's media environment. The OSCE Head of Mission added that he hoped the international community also could develop joint projects to be carried out with the GOAJ. ¶3. (C) Hasanov affirmed the GOAJ's support for the independent media, noting that the GOAJ had "no intention to control the media." He asked the working group to assist the GOAJ in "helping newspapers to emerge from different political camps" and become truly independent. In Hasanov's view, political parties should be able to present their political views "only in paid advertisements." He stressed that the "rights of journalists must not be higher than others," adding that the working group's efforts must be directed at increasing the professionalism of journalists. Hasanov said that Azerbaijan's newspapers today are "vehicles of individuals" that are used for "revenge." The GOAJ, he said, is ready to discuss initiatives to improve the media's financial situation, particularly ways to improve newspapers' advertising revenues. Hasanov added that he believes a smaller, expert-level working group would be more effective, and said he planned to ask his deputy to attend future meetings. ¶4. (C) The OSCE countered that two levels of discussion - both political-level and expert-level - were necessary to resolve the serious problems in Azerbaijan's media environment. Norway added that the working group's success depended on whether its advice was taken seriously by the GOAJ. In response to a question from the U.S., Hasanov confirmed that the GOAJ hoped the working group would result in concrete recommendations -- both to the government and to the media -- that would improve the current media situation. Hasanov said the GOAJ cannot accept the current "partisanship" of the press. ¶5. (C) Hasanov said the GOAJ is preparing proposals to improve the media situation, which it plans to unveil on July 22, Azerbaijani Media Day. However, he believes these measures will not be enough as "one monthlater, journalists will continue to insult the dgnity of individuals" and "lawsuits will be file." "We need to establish a mechanism to address these issues," Hasanov said, adding that he would like to invite journalists to the international working group to explain "why they insult people." The OSCE noted that a presidential pardon for imprisoned journalists would be an BAKU 00000857 002 OF 002 important first step in addressing this problem, as well as a public statement noting that defamation will be treated as a lesser offense. Jail for journalists, the OSCE said, is not the way forward. The OSCE noted that it is bringing a consultant to Baku soon that can help develop proposals for an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. ¶6. (C) Hasanov said the GOAJ considers the current media problems as a "very serious matter" and has been discussing possible solutions for the last three months. The GOAJ has concluded that media financing is a key part of the solution; journalists "insult personalities for economic reasons," in order to sell more papers. The editor of "Baki Xabar" newspaper, for example, faces criminal charges because he tried to blackmail government officials, Hasanov said. To counter the economic pressures facing the media, the GOAJ is proposing new legislation that will make advertising expenses tax-free, in hopes of boosting advertising revenue. Hasanov also argued that the advertising market currently is dominated by "just a few people" and that major corporations, such as Procter and Gamble and Coca-Cola, should be forced to distribute their advertising revenues more equitably. ¶7. (C) The OSCE suggested that the GOAJ consider spreading its own advertising revenue to a variety of newspapers, including those owned by opposition political parties. The U.K. suggested that an alternative dispute resolution body also is needed, so that individuals who feel that they have been libeled in the press can seek redress outside the criminal courts. The U.K. stressed that the GOAJ's current approach of jailing journalists for libel is counter to the GOAJ's commitments to European integration. Hasanov responded that the GOAJ would be willing to consider an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, "as long there is a guarantee that libel will decrease." ¶8. (C) In summary, the group agreed on the following recommendations: - the GOAJ should pardon journalists currently in jail; - the GOAJ should signal that defamation suits are not constructive; - the GOAJ should present new legislation that will strengthen the media's financial sustainability; - the GOAJ should establish a mechanism for regular dialogue with the press; and - the international community should work with journalists to strengthen their professionalism. ¶9. (C) Comment: While this was a positive discussion and an important sign of the GOAJ's willingness to address these issues, Hasanov's continued insistence that journalists are to blame -- and disturbing hints at efforts to regulate major corporations' ability to advertise as they see fit -- indicate that the GOAJ continues to miss some of the key political points regarding its relations with the media. The Embassy will take the lead in drafting a letter from the working group to Hasanov outlining our recommndations and suggested next steps. End comment. LU