On 12 June, within the framework of  “Human Rights Month“, the Institute of Law and Human Rights, jointly with the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, organized an awareness-raising information session on “Media and Human Rights” for media representatives. 

The purpose of the session was to enhance journalists’ awareness of the requirements of the legislation in force and the standards of ethical conduct applicable to the protection of human rights in the course of their professional activities.

Speaking on the importance of awareness-raising initiatives, Mahammad Guluzade, Chairman of the Board of the Institute, stated that media representatives play a vital role in promoting human rights and shaping public awareness. He further noted that, in order to assess the current state of approaches to human rights in the media sector, the Institute regularly analyses materials disseminated through various media resources and conducts monitoring activities. According to the Chairman, although the findings indicate a growing level of awareness and professional competence among media representatives in the field of human rights, certain media reports still contain aspects that requiring additional attention in terms of the protection of human rights and the application of the principles of ethical journalism. He noted that training programs and information sessions are therefore conducted on a regular basis to address such issues and further strengthen media representatives’ knowledge and professional competencies in the field of human rights.

In his remarks, Natig Mammadli, Deputy Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, emphasized that the media bears significant responsibility in the field of human rights protection. He noted that when preparing and disseminating information, journalists must respect human rights, comply with the requirements of professional ethics and legislation, and consistently accord priority to these principles in the exercise of their professional activities. He further stressed that the responsible conduct of media representatives in protecting and promoting human rights should be continuous in nature.

During the session, the Institute’s expert trainers provided detailed information on the human rights violations most frequently encountered in journalistic practice and their legal consequences. The particular attention was drawn to violations of the presumption of innocence, interference with private and family life, unauthorized disclosure of personal data, violations of children’s rights, dissemination of materials promoting discrimination and hate speech, failure to comply with ethical standards when reporting on suicide, as well as the inadmissibility of disseminating defamatory and insulting content. It was stated that actions resulting in violations of human rights entail legal liability as prescribed by legislation. In this regard, special emphasis was placed on the importance of media representatives to ensure strict compliance with legal norms and ethical principles in the exercise of their professional activities.

The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by an exchange of views on the role and importance of adopting a human rights-sensitive approach in media practice.