"Advertising attacks against the independent press in Azerbaijan have been going on for many years."
Bizimxeber.az informs that the well-known journalist, editor-in-chief Adil Huseyov said about this.
The editor-in-chief said that the control of the advertising market against the background of repressions against the press has completely paralyzed the activity of independent websites: "For many years, we have been calling for the formation of the advertising market in the country, the end of the advertising monopoly, and the granting of some freedom. These calls are not given any importance and on the contrary, more Strict measures are being taken. In the last 1 year, I have applied to companies and private enterprises. Most of these applications have not been answered. In some cases, it has been clearly stated that we cannot cooperate with you and with a private company, they specifically said that we are afraid to advertise because the Media Development Agency has not registered you."
The editor-in-chief added that the media advertising market in Azerbaijan is kept under monopoly and it is controlled by MEDIA management: "As you know, MEDIA did not register Bizimxeber.az website, which I am the head of and has been operating independently for more than 13 years. They kept us out without giving any reason. All our documents were legal. In other words, I am a qualified journalist. That is to say, we do not recognize the diploma of the Faculty of Journalism. That is why we do not consider you as a journalist is an attack against the portal, an attempt to stop our activity on purpose.
It is clear that there is no advertising market in Azerbaijan, you cannot easily buy advertising. In addition, they have given orders not to give 1 manat advertisements to the portals and their leaders that do not pass the register. All official institutions of the country do not accredit us because we have not passed the register. The Milli Majlis could not even send us an official rejection letter. No ads, no projects. This is actually designed to keep us under open influence and pressure for many years."
Adil Huseynov, chief editor of Bizimxeber.az portal
According to A. Huseynov, there are serious problems with online advertising revenues: "It is possible to cooperate with international online advertising companies. I have established relations with the best online advertising companies in the world. As a result of negotiations with them, it is clear that they will not be able to send advertising revenues to us. Because The payment systems offered by them are closed in our country, so advertising payments will never reach us.
In short, the portals that do not pass under the sword of MEDIA and do not work with their tasks remain free and continue to be suffocated. Dozens of independent journalists and bloggers were arrested and punished. It seems that such dangers await us with this move. We will have to close the portal now. In light of all this, when you think about what happens to research papers, the last resort is to close the site and leave the field. I am a journalist, my job is to write, and if this is not possible, then I should die. It is no longer possible to fight and think of ways to advertise. They closed all the roads."