Obstructing journalists in their lawful professional duties, using physical force against them or threatening them is unacceptable.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that the Press Council issued the statement.
The statement said a tragic incident at Secondary School No. 225 in Baku’s Yasamal district, in which a student died, and a subsequent altercation had caused public concern and prompted discussion.
“Such incidents naturally attract public attention and raise questions about their causes, accountability and how similar cases can be prevented in the future. In this context, media representatives’ interest in the incident and their efforts to meet the public’s need for information are part of the journalistic mission.
The Azerbaijan Press Council considers it unacceptable that employees of Real TV faced physical pressure while carrying out their professional duties in connection with the incident. The Council says that obstructing journalists in their lawful professional duties, using physical force against them or threatening them is unacceptable. Even when disputes or disagreements arise, they must be resolved not through violence but in accordance with legal requirements and the principles of mutual respect.
The Azerbaijan Press Council also stresses that, alongside journalists’ freedom to carry out their professional duties and the public’s right to access information, professional ethics and particular sensitivity must be strictly observed when reporting on tragic incidents, especially those involving minors and adolescents.
The Press Council hopes that all circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated objectively and comprehensively and that the actions of those involved will receive a legal assessment,” the statement said.
