The OSCE and Press Council of Azerbaijani today held a round table on draft amendments to the Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
Press Council Chairman Aflatun Amashov told the round table that media reports of sexual harassment and child suicide had increased. “That is why the Press Council and OSCE have drawn up a new version of the Code of Ethics. The amendments include changes brought in by the 18 March referendum [safeguarding personal privacy] and also deal with the presumption of innocence and so on," Amashov said.
The new Journalists’ Code of Ethics will be launched on 6 September.
APA’s director general, Vusala Mahirgizi, described the Code of Ethics as an important document.
The OSCE and Press Council are also working on a joint bill on defamation, Amashov said.
He said earlier today that "radical steps" would be taken by the end of the year to support the media.
These include exemptions from tax for the media, support for the advertising market and a reduction in profit tax.
Amashov said that land had been chosen for the construction of an apartment block for journalists in Baku's Bayil suburb. He said that funds had been allocated by order of the president and construction would soon start.