Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

People with lack of enlightenment is deprived of light

These words belong to the great son of the Azerbaijani people, thinker Hasan Bey Zardabi. Today, 140 years have passed since the establishment of “Ekinchi” newspaper, the first press publication of Azerbaijan founded by Hasan Bey Zardabi. Shedding light on national press, “Ekinchi” has trained army of journalists. First issue of the newspaper was published on July 22, 1875. Dealing with key goals and objectives of the “Ekinchi”, Hasan bey Zardabi wrote: “Newspaper's motive is to open the eyes of the people, to show the problems of public as a mirror that people should follow.” 

Being published under very serious censorship, only 56 numbers of newspaper were released and it has been banned in 1877. H. Zardabi regularly informed about the newspapers published in the leading countries on the pages of "Ekinchi", and gave comments on their culture of printing and distribution.

After “Ekinchi” published one after the other, "Ziya", "Ziyayi-Qafqaziyye", "Keshkul" press organs continued the ideas of the enlightenment. Outstanding writers, businessmen, patriotic intellectuals tried to instill on people how the concept of media is of great importance in public. 

In next years, "Shergi-rus", "Heyat", "Achig soz", "Azerbaijan" newspapers, and "Molla Nasreddin" journal, masterpiece of national press, were published in 1906. In general, various newspapers and journals which had published in the beginning of XX century could achieve in fundamentally change the quality of the socio-political system. "Molla Nasreddin" journal had taken great strides towards in enlightening, awakening and revival of the people at this stage.

Newspapers and journals that occurred in 1918-20 during the years of People Republic of Azerbaijan were heralded the creation of the political press. Main goals of the "Istiglal", "Azerbaijan", "Achig soz" newspapers published within 23 months aimed to protect the independence of Azerbaijan and preserve it.

In following years after occupation of Azerbaijan People Republic by the Red Army XI, there was an era of stagnation in the Azerbaijani press. Azerbaijani poets, writers, including public press created a new style under the influence of political events.

Since its establishment, the press began to play a major role in the political life of Azerbaijan people. This fact was proved in the years of people’s struggle for national liberation. Thus, in the 80s of the XX century – in the beginning of the period of national liberation movement, no doubt, one of the factor that join people was the press. Analytical writings published on the "Azerbaijan", "Meydan", "Azadlig", "Ayna" (Zerkalo), "Seher", "Heyat" and on other press organs.

One of the major events in the history of Azerbaijan national press was the acquisition of the national independence of Azerbaijan Republic on October 18, 1991.

That was the main condition for the formation of a free and democratic press in Azerbaijan.

Of course, at that time there were serious obstacles on the way to creation and development of the emocratic press, one of which there was a censorship existence.

Only in 1998 was abolished censorship over mass media by the Decree of the national leader Heydar liyev.

Then, one after another signed decrees and orders related to the development of the national press, in particular the introduction in 1999 of the law on mass media in Azerbaijan, paved the way for the restoration of freedom of speech, thought and the press.

Thus, in March 2000 was approved the "Program of measures to improve the material and technical conditions of the media in 2000-2001" by decree of the national leader Heydar Aliyev.

There were annulled debts of some newspapers. In March 2003, was established Azerbaijan Press Council - the organization that regulates the relationship between media and government. All this, in turn, was an important event in the history of independent Azerbaijan press.

In 2010 with great solemnity the 135th anniversary of our National press was celebrated. In the same year 38 journalists who distinguished their activities were awarded with the title of "Honored journalist", dozens of journalists have been awarded with the Order of "Tereggi."

It should be noted that in the last 20-25 years in Azerbaijan roughly develops electronic mass media.

Today, there is a strong competition between traditional mass media and electronic mass media.

With prompt development of information and communication technologies the number of readers of traditional mass media is reduced, opposite they prefer to receive news on the Internet.

In summary will note that, Azerbaijani national press having rich historical, progressive and nice traditions created a strong basis for further development of national democratic journalism. Today mass media, playing an important role in socio-political and cultural life of the country, promote recognition of our country around the world.

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