Interview of the head of the trade unions of journalists in Turkey , head of a department of the agency Anadolu Gursel Eser. The journalist , saying that he visits Baku at least twice a year , also said that each time he becomes a witness of change for the better.
- One of the innovations is the development of Internet journalism in Azerbaijan . You have this area accelerated and with characteristic development . We perceive it very positively . We will develop cooperation with Baku. We can even work in a joint educational project . But along with this , we are pleased with the high attention to journalists in Baku amd with social media that rapidly , nicely, fairly, impartially and seriously share information . We monitor your Internet websites exactly the same as ours. Modern.az is one of the favorite sites for Turkish journalists. Most often, we track the news related to Azerbaijan on this site. I first arrived in Baku in 2010. During this time much has changed. In the information portals launched recently, there have been positive changes. We are also pleased with advances in the rights of journalists.
Nowhere in the world we have seen that the head of state gives reporters apartments. This is welcome. On this issue in the best case for us, we can count on assistance in obtaining a credit. But a journalist who has received such a loan returns all the money to the last penny. And today without any reciprocal obligations journalists are provided apartments and it is very welcome. At least our friends - journalists got rid of at least some problems. You know journalists keep up with everywhere. They are familiar with the complexities and challenges of many things. But, unfortunately , they can not solve their own social problems.
- Gursel Bey , are there any projects that you implement in the near future together with Azerbaijani media?
- We are ready for this . We have serious connection with your Parliamentary Union of Journalists . We will expand these ties. This organization is known to many journalists in Turkey. As far as I know, they maintain close relations with the leading journalistic community in Turkey. As far as our organization has operated in Ankara for two years, together with the parliamentary Union of Journalists we held a sad day in the event of the capture of Shusha - the main city of Karabakh. We are trying our best to help our friends. Our position on the Karabakh issue coincides with the position of citizens of Azerbaijan. We will endeavor to liberate the Azerbaijani lands from occupation. We do not recognize the occupation of Shusha.
- In Turkey, not all journalists share your position on this issue. In this regard, the position of the media in Istanbul is very different ...
- We have moved into the 21st century . With this in mind , we are very concerned about the issue of occupation of the land of the fraternal state. In Turkey, there are journalists who are not familiar with this issue or look at it from the standpoint of cosmopolitanism. Therefore it is very important for journalists to hold a major conference in connection with this issue in Turkey. Hopefully, after this they will think like us. We always saw Azerbaijan as our own home. It should be explained to all the world's media . You need to implement projects , to exchange information and conduct workshops . We will always support you in these endeavors. On this subject we will implement major projects with the parliamentary Union of Journalists of Azerbaijan.
- You head a structure dealing with the social problems of journalists. Are you satisfied with the salary which journalists receive in Turkey?
- This question is unlikely to ever be answered positively . Unfortunately, we have many difficulties in Turkey. The profession for us is very important. I lead a trade union of journalists. I can say that compared to other journalists' social rights and working conditions, those provided by the agency Anadolu are different and higher. If we analyze, we see that we are in an excellent position on such items as weekly or annual leave, annual or monthly payments. Of course, it would be desirable to achieve the provisions of all journalists at an adequate level. The worst profession is still better than the lack of it . We really need to do so that all of our friends used their social rights. Unfortunately, in Turkey it is evident only in a fragmented way. Managers do not let their employees enjoy all the freedoms to which they are entitled.
- What is the relationship of your president with journalists ?
- The president and the journalists have very good relations. Through Twitter he spreads photos that journalists could hardly find themselves. We take out and use these photos. He presents us with pictures, for example, with a plot in the mountains where he was talking with a shepherd or fishing somewhere. In fact, our president is himself a good photographer and friend of journalists . And I know that you also announced your president a friend of journalists. We support you in this .
- Contrary to what you said in many journalists are imprisoned in Turkey. How does it fit in with the concept of friendship?
- Yes, there are journalists who are in prison. A journalist is not a person untouchable. But he should not be put in jail for his writing. If he makes a mistake , then he is responsible for it in accordance with the law. I am unable to accept the situation , when a journalist is jailed for his writing . According to information distributed by Turkey itself, today there are no imprisoned journalists there. We are journalists and we are supposed to do just this. Policy should be left to politicians.
Ulduz Ibrahimova
ANN.Az
