Pavel Gusev

In what ways are your organizations involved in bilateral cooperation?

Of course, we have a great policy of contact with journalists of most countries accredited in Russia and the CIS. In addition, the association of foreign and CIS journalists is still functioning as part of the Journalists' Union. We support their work in Russia. It is no secret that Russia has problems regarding the work of journalists. The authorities mostly do not want journalists to work the way they have to work under the law. Therefore, we try to solve all cases in which journalists of many countries face problems, primarily in the state structures.

We have taken the association of foreign journalists working in Russia and Moscow under our protection. This is effective because if a journalist meets all the obligations for a foreign worker, we take the journalist under our protection and defend their rights as the state can often hamper journalists in doing their job.

What would you like to see in cooperation with the Azerbaijani media?

First of all, I would like the Azerbaijani mass media to be present in the Russian information space. Today many free newspapers in Azerbaijani are widely distributed in Moscow. It is no secret that a large diaspora of former citizens of Azerbaijan and of Azerbaijani ethnic origin has formed in the Russian capital. This diaspora is large and we think that the appearance of local newspapers in Moscow shops would be great. We have discussed this problem not only with regard to Azerbaijan but also to other countries whose representatives live in the Russian capital.

We talk about possible television material made or exchanged between Russian and Azerbaijani television stations since most of us are interested in developments in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has something to say. In addition, there can be an exchange of information between news agencies.

Pavel Gusev is chairman of the Moscow Journalists’ Union, chairman of the Russian Public Chamber's Commission on Information Policy and Freedom of Speech and editor-in-chief of the Moskovski Komsomolets newspaper.

Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az