The Irony of 'Press Freedom' in Azerbaijan: A View from Behind Bars

Aynur Elgunesh

From the confines of Kurdakhany Pre-trial Detention Center, Aynur Elgunesh, the imprisoned editor-in-chief of Meydan TV, offers a biting, satirical commentary on the state of media in Azerbaijan. Her letter, published by Meydan TV, paints a stark picture of a press landscape where independent voices are silenced, and state-controlled narratives dominate.

"How are you, media people?" Elgunesh begins, noting her nearly eight-month isolation from the internet. She observes the televised landscape, sarcastically remarking that "after crushing the independent media, there are no problems left in the country; it's all blooming and beautiful." The daily news, she notes, is filled with trivialities like motorcycle noise disturbing villagers or incorrect fines, suggesting these minor issues are highlighted merely to give the "glorious media" something to report.

A Controlled Narrative and Convenient "Theses"

Elgunesh highlights a significant shift in journalistic practice: "Even if your salaries haven't increased, your work has become much lighter; they send ready-made theses, and you publish them to fill the plan." She attributes this ease to "Hikmat Muallem" and, with a cynical nod, to "Ali Hasanov," who, despite his foreign education, has assembled a team that produces "such wonderful news that no editor can bring themselves to change even a single sentence." This ensures a uniform message across all channels, saving the audience from the "anxiety of 'oh, I missed the news.'" Even the investigation team, she quips, wrote such a compelling article about her own activities that she "rediscovered" herself through their narrative.

The amendments to the "Law on Media" also draw her satirical gaze, particularly the requirement for agencies to contract with 20 media organizations. She dismisses the notion that this is unnecessary if all media is controlled by one hand, instead offering a cynical explanation: "when money stays in one pocket, it gets folded; you need to take it out often and put it in another pocket."

The Sputnik Affair and Shifting Allegiances

Elgunesh recalls the fate of "Sputnik," once under Ali Hasanov's purview, noting its prior publication of smear campaigns against independent journalists like Meydan TV. She then points to the irony of the Press Council now accusing "Sputnik" of working for Russian intelligence, leading Russia to appeal to international organizations regarding its journalists' arrests. "For years, international organizations said that freedom of speech was being suppressed and journalists were being arrested in Azerbaijan. Did they only wake up when Russia got hit?" she asks, highlighting the hypocrisy. She further lampoons "exemplary journalist" Mirshahin Muallem, who can't shake off the nostalgia of the 90s, for equating Sputnik's situation with that of independent journalists. The absurdity peaks when she notes, "you curse Russia, and the Russian press curses your owners, and then the head of state is seen with the director of TASS."

Questionable Funding and a Bleak Future

A persistent question for Elgunesh is the funding of state-aligned media. While independent journalists like herself are accused of "smuggling" and receiving funds from known foundations, she wonders, "where do these media holdings and various websites get their funding from?" She cynically suggests that the "luxury of the holding and website leaders came from the 3-5 manats allocated by the Media Agency," drawing a parallel to the long-standing mystery of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's funding.

As Azerbaijan prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the national press, Elgunesh finds little to celebrate amidst the imprisonment of nearly 30 journalists. She sarcastically advises her colleagues to "take good care of yourselves, try not to get stomach aches from eating," as "each year is worse than the last." She contrasts past eras of prestigious awards and competitions with the current reality where executive authorities offer meager "prizes," leading to envy. She even speculates that for the anniversary, journalists might receive "broiler chicken alongside jam and pickles" instead of expensive gifts.

Elgunesh criticizes state institutions and companies for their excessive control, lamenting the lack of "loyalty" or "secretarial service under the name of a journalist" despite their unwavering obedience. She observes the same faces at press gatherings, some having celebrated Press Day for "almost 50 years" without realizing that newspapers no longer exist or understanding the internet. Her ultimate fear is that even the meager table will disappear, replaced by a quick döner and ayran.

She concludes with a final, cutting remark about Ahmad Ismayilov, who she hears has recently learned that journalists are called "watchdog" internationally. Misunderstanding this, he is reportedly considering new amendments to the law. He just can't decide whether to "put chains on journalists or chips." Elgunesh cynically suggests the Media Agency will announce its final decision by the next anniversary. "Don't worry about it; what difference does it make to you? The main thing is your stomach; try not to let it rumble from hunger."

Source: Aynur Elgunesh's letter from Kurdakhany Pre-trial Detention Center, published by Meydan TV.