Succession in politics: 26 years that changed Azerbaijans' fate and face
Green light to pluralism of thoughts, freedom of expression and press
The national leader declared in the days of crisis in October 1993 that Azerbaijan would take the path of democracy and said: "Our way is towards democracy. A democratic and law-based state should be built in independent Azerbaijan. The state of Azerbaijan must function on the basis of democratic principles and must follow the path of democratic state building, benefiting from its historical and national traditions and making an efficient use of global democracy and universal values. This is our path and I again promise to you that we will follow this path."
We, as pressmen, are witnesses of the efforts made by our national leader, as well as President Ilham Aliyev, to ensure freedom of expression and press and pluralism of thoughts, which are the main principles of democracy.
The total number of the media – news agencies, newspapers and magazines, TV and radio stations in the country is more than 5,000 and the number of internet portals is more than 20,000. A total of 80 per cent of the population is internet users and about 3 million people use social networks. There are 70 nationwide satellite, regional, cable and internet TV channels in Azerbaijan.
AZERTAC, which has a special place in the country’s media, has always felt the attention and care of our national leader and his political successor Ilham Aliyev, too. Now, AZERTAC has 22 correspondents abroad. AZERTAC prepares and spreads through its own channels 600-650 pieces of news in 8 languages every day. We have concluded official agreements of cooperation with about 50 news agencies of the world. Every year, the electronic resources of the regional and international entities, in which we have membership, and foreign agencies and media outlets, which we cooperate with, carry more than 15,000 news stories, photos and videos of AZERTAC. Against the background of these achievements, we remember very well one recommendation by our national leader to us: Try to get into the information space of the world and become members of international media entities. This will open up good opportunities to spread the truths of Azerbaijan to the world.
Once we were dreaming about becoming members of international media entities. But time has come and AZERTAC started to be represented in the management boards of those entities. Under the patronage of esteemed President Ilham Aliyev, with the support of the first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and with the organization of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and AZERTAC, Baku excellently hosted key forums of two prestigious international organizations – the 5th News Agencies World Congress (NAWC) and the 16th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia Pacific News Agencies (OANA) in 2016. AZERTAC was elected as chair of both organizations. Thus, Azerbaijan’s name has gone down in the history of the world media…
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The examples and events, which testify to the triumph of succession in politics and its unprecedented role in the growth of Azerbaijan, are so many. I have mentioned only some of them. There is another significant factor, which stipulates this magnificent path of glory. We have seen political will, determination, wisdom and ability to take timely and right decisions in the person of Heydar Aliyev some time ago and Ilham Aliyev now. The people trust their leader, follow and support him. The unity between people and government, which is the guarantee of the successes, will further take Azerbaijan to new heights and new victories.
Aslan Aslanov
AZERTAC Chairman of Board
President of OANA
