Conference on "the basis of the activity, rights, duties and responsibilities of media representatives in the election process” was conducted at International Press Center on October 2, 2013.

According to AzerTaj, the event conducted jointly with the Fund of State Support for the Development of Mass Media under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (FSSDMM) and Central Election Commission (CEC) was attended by the officials and lawyers of the leading newspapers, information agencies and TV channels.

Chairman of FSSDMM Vugar Safarli stated that the goal of the conference was to hold discussions on the rights and duties of the journalists to take part as observers in the Presidential elections on October 9, 2013.

Deputy CEC Chairman Mr.Natig Mammadov noted that the conduct of the election process in comply with international standards requires great responsibility. And Azerbaijan has got sufficient experience in this field. The activity of mass media was informed to be of great importance for the conduct of transparent and fair elections. Therefore, necessary facilities have been provided for ensuring the transparency of the election process. Furthermore, behavior, rights, duties and responsibilities of media representatives in the process are also from priority issues.

Chair of Press Council Aflatun Amashov stated that the participation of journalists in the elections is an actual issue. Mentioning on the activities taken by the Press Council during the Presidential elections stated that Monitoring group was established for the regulation of police-journalist relations in the conduct of actions before elections. At the same time, the Council is currently monitoring the recording related elections in mass media. The main concern is the dissemination of anti-campaign of candidates. It was informed that Press Council will establish "hot line” for the journalists to apply from any region of Azerbaijan on the voting day. Meanwhile, FSSDMM prepared jointly with CEC a booklet "Guide for the journalists functioning in the election process”. The booklet has been prepared on the basis of extracts of the provisions included in CEC instructions and other legislative acts.

CEC member Azer Taghiyev stated that the participation of the journalists as observers in the election process is very essential for transparency. Rights of observers are fully enshrined in the election legislation. In the case of revealing any law violation by the journalists in the voting process, they may apply to the authorized bodies related to these facts. But the journalist shall firstly address to the chairman of Precinct Election Commission related to the violation. If there is any law violation, it shall be immediately taken action.

Questions of the participants were replied to at the end of the event.